EFFECT OF WEATHER SYSTEM ON THE REGIME OF SEA LEVEL VARIATIONS IN IZMIR BAY

Effect of weather system on the regime of sea level variations in Izmir Bay

Bedri Alpar, Selmin Burak, Cem Gazioğlu

Istanbul University, Marine Sciences and Management Institute, Vefa, 34470 Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

On the basis of the daily and monthly mean data for the year 1990 at Menteş in lzmir Bay, the effects of both barometric pressure and wind on the fluctuations of sea level have been studied. Barometric pressure is one of the main parameters affecting sea level variations in Izmir Bay. The sea level has a significant inverse coherence with the barometric pressure for the frequency band lower than two-day periodicity. The wind is also a significant factor affecting sea level. At Menteş, increases in sea level are caused by westerly winds, while decreases in sea level are mainly caused by southerly and southeasterly winds, especially for higher wind speeds.

Keywords: Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea, sea level, air-sea interaction, atmospheric forcing