Extreme Oscillations of the Sea Level in the Laptev Sea
I. Ashik, Y. Dvorkin and Y. Yanda
State Research Center - Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, 38 Bering St., 199226 St. Petersburg, Russia
Received 3 March 1997 and accepted in revised fonn 3 March 1998
Abstract - Based on an analysis of monitoring data from coastal polar stations, the
character of sea-level oscillations in the Laptev Sea is analysed. In addition, sea-level
variability and regions displaying a similar character of sea-level oscillations are identified.
The synoptic situations typically related to significant negative and positive stonn surges
along southern coast of the Laptev Sea are described.
Introduction
Shelf zone of the Laptev Sea is rich in mineral resources. In recent years the activity for search
of sea oil-gas-bearing fields in this region has increased. Planning and provision of safety of
shipping, designing and construction of marine complexes, as well as hydro-meteorological
support of their exploitation require comprehensive evidence on different elements of the
hydrometeorological regime, in particular, information on sea level oscillations (Kort, 1941;
Mustafin, 1961; Ashik et aI., 1995). This is a factor which can actively influence human
activities in the coastal Arctic zone. Let us note that multiyear observations of the sea level
oscillations at island and coastal stations are especially valuable, as among other indicators of
dynamic processes in the hydrosphere of the shelf zone of the Laptev Sea information on sea
level is most fully and objectively presented.
Methods
The main initial data used for investigating feature of extreme level oscillations of the Laptev
Sea were multiyear series (more than 35 years) of level observations at 4 synoptic times at 12
coastal and island stations (Figure 3). Considering that marine activities in the Laptev Sea can
be carried out all-year-round, extreme level values were analyzed for all the months of the
annual cycle.
The level oscillations in the Laptev Sea are of an extremely complicated character and are
governed by a combination of the dynamic and conservative factors (Ashik, 1995). Dimensions
and position of the Laptev Sea allow us to consider action of the dynamic factor sufficiently
uniform over its area. Thus, differences in character of the level oscillations, the magnitude of
extreme oscillations in some regions of the Laptev Sea are primarily governed by the
morphometry of these regions: bottom topography, coastline position, etc. (Ashik and Yanda,
1995; Mustafin, 1961). River runoff also plays a considerable role in the regime of the extreme
level oscillations in the Laptev Sea.
The extreme sea level oscillations of the Laptev Sea are formed, basically, under influence of
deep extensive cyclones, fascinating under his influence whole areal of the sea. During the
significant negative surges, over the sea prevalence a forward part of a cyclone, the centre of
which at this time places over peninsula Taymir (Figure la). The significant positive surges are
usually connected with back part of a cyclone, the centre of which at this time places over
Novosibirski islands (Figure 2a).
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch, I. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, J. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, \999, 37-41.
I. Ashik, Y. Dvorkin and Y. Yanda
State Research Center - Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, 38 Bering St., 199226 St. Petersburg, Russia
Received 3 March 1997 and accepted in revised fonn 3 March 1998
Abstract - Based on an analysis of monitoring data from coastal polar stations, the
character of sea-level oscillations in the Laptev Sea is analysed. In addition, sea-level
variability and regions displaying a similar character of sea-level oscillations are identified.
The synoptic situations typically related to significant negative and positive stonn surges
along southern coast of the Laptev Sea are described.
Introduction
Shelf zone of the Laptev Sea is rich in mineral resources. In recent years the activity for search
of sea oil-gas-bearing fields in this region has increased. Planning and provision of safety of
shipping, designing and construction of marine complexes, as well as hydro-meteorological
support of their exploitation require comprehensive evidence on different elements of the
hydrometeorological regime, in particular, information on sea level oscillations (Kort, 1941;
Mustafin, 1961; Ashik et aI., 1995). This is a factor which can actively influence human
activities in the coastal Arctic zone. Let us note that multiyear observations of the sea level
oscillations at island and coastal stations are especially valuable, as among other indicators of
dynamic processes in the hydrosphere of the shelf zone of the Laptev Sea information on sea
level is most fully and objectively presented.
Methods
The main initial data used for investigating feature of extreme level oscillations of the Laptev
Sea were multiyear series (more than 35 years) of level observations at 4 synoptic times at 12
coastal and island stations (Figure 3). Considering that marine activities in the Laptev Sea can
be carried out all-year-round, extreme level values were analyzed for all the months of the
annual cycle.
The level oscillations in the Laptev Sea are of an extremely complicated character and are
governed by a combination of the dynamic and conservative factors (Ashik, 1995). Dimensions
and position of the Laptev Sea allow us to consider action of the dynamic factor sufficiently
uniform over its area. Thus, differences in character of the level oscillations, the magnitude of
extreme oscillations in some regions of the Laptev Sea are primarily governed by the
morphometry of these regions: bottom topography, coastline position, etc. (Ashik and Yanda,
1995; Mustafin, 1961). River runoff also plays a considerable role in the regime of the extreme
level oscillations in the Laptev Sea.
The extreme sea level oscillations of the Laptev Sea are formed, basically, under influence of
deep extensive cyclones, fascinating under his influence whole areal of the sea. During the
significant negative surges, over the sea prevalence a forward part of a cyclone, the centre of
which at this time places over peninsula Taymir (Figure la). The significant positive surges are
usually connected with back part of a cyclone, the centre of which at this time places over
Novosibirski islands (Figure 2a).
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch, I. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, J. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, \999, 37-41.