Abstract:
The tidal pattern in polar regions exhibits unusual features and is diurnal rather than the 12 hour period observed at lower latitudes. A site at Scott Base is about as far south as it is possible to establish a tide gauge in open water. Continued operation of a tide gauge for an indefinite period is required to determine the tidal constituents, mean sea level (which requires at least a 19 year record) and to provide annual tide preditions. A tide gauge was installed at Scott Base from 1957-1959 with tide height recorded hourly. Records are kept on microfilm or reported by MacDonald and Burrows (1962). Another tide gauge was installed and functioned continuously from November 1988 to February 1990 except for a 2 week period of lost data in early January 1990.
Quality
Land Information New Zealand holds sea level data from Scott Base for 1957-59, 1988-91 and 2001-08.They are currently working towards having this information available online. Until such time, please contact:
Glen Rowe Senior Data Analyst (Sea Level) Hydrographic Services Land Information New Zealand Toitu te Whenua 160 Lambton Quay Private Box 5501 WELLINGTON 6145 NEW ZEALAND DDI: +64 4 460 0569 Fax: +64 4 498 3837 Email:growe@linz.govt.nz
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research - New Zealand
PO Box 8602
City:
Christchurch
Country:
New Zealand
Publications/References
Gilmour, A.E. Winter measurements of sea currents in McMurdo Sound. New Zealand journal of geology and geophysics 5(5): 778-789, 1962.
Macdonald, W.J.P. Burrows, A.L. Sea-level recordings at Scott Base, Antarctica, 1957. New Zealand journal of geology and geophysics 2(2): 297-314, 1959.
Heath, R.A. 1971. Tidal constants for McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 5: 376-380.
