Low-frequency oscillations of the level of enclosed sea

Abstract

This work studies the variable surface level of a small enclosed basin that is related to the problem of interpreting satellite altimetric data, which assist in observations only of a deviation of a marine basin from unknown average condition needed to be calculated for the reconstruction of the sea level topography. The reconstruction of unknown average condition becomes especially uncertain for the enclosed basins with sig nificant level oscillations due to a variable water balance and requires the attraction of a priori physical con cepts. This work reveals the general principles of response of the sea level to the low frequency changes of the water exchange through the boundary of the basin with a rather arbitrary morphology.