The advent of satellite altimetry technology has revolutionised the study of sea level on both local and global scales. The challenge today is ensuring the accuracy of altimetry measurements, and this was undertaken by an EU-funded consortium.
Changes in the mean sea level allow scientists to understand the response of the ocean to continued global warming. This requires observation of the thermal expansion of the ocean and the melting of major ice sheets.
Further details: Global collaboration for altimetry calibration