Analysis of long-period sea-level variation around the Korean Peninsula

Regional long-term changes in sea level were investigated at 19 tidal stations located around the Korean Peninsula using more than 30 years of tide-gauge data. Regression analysis was applied to these data, and general trends of long-term change (1960-2014) in RSL (relative sea level) were estimated at each station. The results showed that the rates of RSL rise around Korea were higher than the global mean. Rates of RSL rise were relatively small along the western coast (average of 2.0 mm/yr.), large along the southern and eastern coasts (average of 2.8 and 3.6 mm/yr., respectively), and very large around Jeju Island (average of 3.8 mm/yr.). The rate of RSL rise near the coast of Jeju Island was about twice the world ocean mean. Interannual variations in sea-level rise around Korea showed regional differences. According to recently Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC, the rate of sea-level rise could accelerate throughout the 21st century. This should be considered when designing coastal structures in order to prevent coastal disasters.