African Sea Level Network - Global Sea Level Observing System for Africa
Original (non-English) name
Acronym
African Sea Level Network - GLOSS
Citation
Abstract
A survey of the status of the African Sea level network was undertaken in 2005 in order to select potential locations for installation of new tide gauges, and also to assess which existing equipment required upgrade. This was done on the basis of a questionnaire sent to national contacts, as well as reports from previous surveys (GLOSS, GOOS Africa). The survey revealed the existence of at least 40 operational stations spread unevenly along the African coastline and island states. In the Indian several stations installed by the University of Hawaii within the framework of the TOGA project are still functioning. South Africa has an extensive network of gauges along its coastline. Other countries that have established national tide gauge networks include Morocco, and Mozambique. Large stretches of coastline did not have any operational gauges. There were gauges at eight (8) locations which were not working. Only two stations in the entire network met the specifications for tsunami early warning system (Rodrigues and Port Louis, both in Mauritius). The most common model of installed tide gauge was the OTT float gauge, followed by Handar encorders at stations that are installed and maintained by the University of Hawaii Sea Level Centre in the Indian Ocean.