Water Column Height

Height of the ocean surface above the sea floor. Because the sea floor varies spatially, column heights cannot be directly compared between two locations to investigate changes in surface height without first subtracting their respective ocean depths. Ocean surface topography can vary as great as two meters and is influenced by ocean circulation, ocean temperature, salinity, wind, and other factors. As trade winds weaken in winter, Hawaiʻi's average sea surface height increases.

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