205 



David G . Aubrey 



Department of Geology and Geophysics 



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 



Woods Hole, MA 02543 



GENERAL COMMENTS 



This is a well-rounded report; good summary of the subject. 



The title should be changed to examine "climate change impacts" rather 

 than "sea level rise impact," to reflect the contents more properly. 



Consideration should be given to changes in storm climate resulting 

 from climate change. These impacts could well override the direct impacts 

 of sea-level rise over a 20- to 40-year period. Many examples are 

 available. I am doing research on this topic now (as are others). 



Ample consideration must be given to the importance of basic research 

 to address practical problems. For instance, sediment transport theory is 

 in poor shape, with a great need for excellent basic research. 



SECT. 2. ESTIMATES OF EUSTATIC SEA LEVEL RISE 



There is too little discussion of tectonic contamination of tide -gage 

 records (but I am biased). Otherwise, good points are made regarding 

 noisiness of tide-gage data. 



Rather than satellite altimetry, make use of very long baseline 

 interferometry (VLBI) and the differential global positioning system (DGPS) 

 to obtain absolute and relative datums on a global basis. See Carter et 

 al. (1986). Establishment of an absolute network is essential for 

 obtaining a proper separation of sea level vs land level changes. 



I see no use for the analysis in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 regarding 

 "noise" in gages. There is no justification for the models used; hence, 

 other than speculation, I see no real use for this arbitrary analysis. 



"Simple compaction measurements" advocated in Sections 2.4 and 2.4.2 

 are not necessarily highest priority. VLBI and DGPS should be considered 

 for this use also. 



