Heatwave Effects on Sea Level and Sea Surface Temperature Variations: A Multi-Decadal Satellite Altimetry Study in Malaysia

Abstract

Heatwaves events is one of the consequences from the global warming and climate change. In a warming ocean temperature, sea level variations are expected to increase in correlation with the temperature fluctuations. Coastal flooding and erosion also occur significantly due to the sea level fluctuation, giving impacts towards economic and marine ecosystem. This study aims to investigate the impacts of heatwaves towards sea level and sea surface temperature using multi-mission satellite altimetry. The satellite altimetry missions derived Sea Level Anomaly (SLA) and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) around the Malaysian Seas from 1993 until 2023. Celebes Sea have showed a mixed correlation coefficient from -0.4223 to 0.8960. Sulu Sea have a small to strong positive correlation with coefficient from 0.2548 to 0.8481. Malacca Straits showed weak to moderate correlation coefficient from -0.020 to 0.4365. South China Sea show a significant and strong negative correlation from -0.5540 to -0.8107. Seasonal variations by the Australian-Asian monsoon system and local current flow played a significant role for the correlation of SLA and SST. In conclusion, this study is important in creating awareness for potential future climate change events, particularly heatwaves that could have a significant impact on the country.