Trends and uncertainties of mass-driven sea-level change in the satellite altimetry era

Abstract. Ocean mass change is one of the main drivers present-day sea-level (SLC). Also known as barystatic SLC, ocean caused by exchange freshwater between land and ocean, such melting continental ice from glaciers sheets, variations in water storage. While many studies have quantified contribution to global mean fewer works looked into regional changes. This study provides an analysis patterns contemporary redistribution associated with SLC since 1993 (the satellite altimetry era), a focus on uncertainty budget. We consider three types uncertainties: intrinsic data/model itself), temporal (related variability time series) spatial–structural spatial distribution sources). Regional (fingerprints) are computed range estimates individual sources used analyze different uncertainty. Combining all contributions, we find that trends ?0.4 3.3 mm yr?1 for 2003–2016 ?0.3 2.6 1993–2016, considering 5–95th percentile across grid points depending choice dataset. When uncertainties contributions combined, total regionally 0.6 1.3 0.4 0.8 also dataset choice. dominates budget, responsible average 65 % uncertainty, followed uncertainties, which contribute 16 18 %, respectively. The source storage contribution, 35 %–60 region interest. Another important comes Antarctica storage, shows locations can lead trend deviations larger than 20 %. As its vary significantly region, better insights local management adaptation planning.