On The Origin of the Sea-level Seesaw - 4

Fig. 1 NOAA on Light Depths

It would seem that we can agree that most ocean water is below the ocean surface.

The surface where most sunlight impacts upon the ocean.

Thus, the upper level near the ocean surface, one would assume, is where the most direct solar induced thermal expansion takes place (at least according to our senses at first blush).

But, what about all that water in near-total-darkness down there where "the Sun don't shine"?

Yes, down there where "there is rarely any significant light", down there "beyond 200 meters" ?

The NOAA graphic at Fig. 1 has a link to the general specifics indicating that most of the ocean depths are void of sunlight (cf. the incredible depth).

Fig. 2 (cf. Fig 8)

There is so much ocean down there it seems to be trying to get out (record 'clear-sky' flooding in 7 cities).

Fig. 3

Do these depths and the temperatures there have anything to do with the see-saw patterns of sea level change?

Fig. 4

Remember that in a previous post I wrote "The see-saw phenomenon in the tide gauge records of SLC is a very normal phenomenon" (Questionable "Scientific" Papers)."

Fig. 5

Generally, this has been attributed to ice sheet degradation.

You know, the phenomenon which generates melt water as the major cause of sea level change, with the Dredd Blog notion of "ghost-water" as the second major cause of sea level change (The Ghost-Water Constant, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Fig. 6

But now let's take a look at what happens where most of the ocean water is (way below the surface).

Fig. 7 All Depths

There, a strange mystery lurks and works.

Anywhere any ocean water is at a temperature below 4 degrees C (adjusted for salinity), a certain "magic" happens.

That is, when that ocean water is either warmed or cooled further, it will expand.

Yes, whether circumstances warm it or cool it, at any location or time when it is at 4 degrees C, it will expand, period (The Warming Science Commentariat - 2, at Section IV).

However, if it is warmed when its temperature is above 4 degrees C, it will only expand, never contract.

More magic: when it is below 4 degrees C, say 0.5 degrees C, it will contract (shrink) when warmed until it reaches 4 degrees C, at which time further warming will cause it to expand.

As you can see from Fig. 1, most ocean water is at a temperature below 4 degrees C.

And as you can see by Fig. 2 - Fig. 7, massive amounts of that ocean water changes temperature from time to time.

Those changes are both toward 4 degrees C as well as away from 4 degrees C.

Is, then, the see-saw effect (the up and down nature of sea level change) contributed to by those deep water temperature changes?

I am not talking about the sea level change trends, which follow an upward trend in some areas but follow a downward trend in other areas (Proof of Concept , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Fig. 8 (click to expand)

No, I am talking about short term variations in sea level recorded for hundreds of years at PSMSL official tide gauge stations around the world (Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level)

Notice the graphic at Fig. 8 .

It points out that warming will cause vast areas to shrink as cooling causes vast areas to expand.

Yes, that happens even down there where the Sun does not shine.

Fig. 9 (click to expand)

How that warming and/or cooling takes place will be discussed in future posts of this series.

Let me add that the percentage of expansion/contraction per volume is not much (Fig. 9).

Again then, it is time for the thermal expansion commentariat to reel it in and get real about this.

The only influences I can think of who would want us to believe that sea level rise is caused only by the Sun is Oil-Qaeda.

The previous post in this series is here.

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