About the CSLT

The Commission on Sea Level and Tides (CSLT), established under the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO), is the successor to the former Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides (CMSLT).

The transition reflects the broadening of sea level science to encompass not only long-term mean sea level monitoring but also higher-frequency variability, extreme sea level events, and their coastal impacts. The Commission is science-led and open to any researcher with an interest in sea level.

Structure

The CSLT is led by a President appointed by IAPSO, supported by a core group of members selected for broad international representation and disciplinary coverage — including tsunami science, data management, modelling, satellite altimetry, geophysics, sea level rise impacts, and polar oceanography.

Each core group addresses a specific research area, such as tides, sea level extremes, or vertical land motion, with a chair responsible for membership, activities, and annual reporting to the Commission. See Core Groups for the current groups and who leads them.

What the Commission does

The CSLT's activities fall under four areas:

• Promoting research and community engagement across the sea level science community;
• Coordinating with the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) and related data services;
• Maintaining liaison with partner organisations, including GLOSS, the IHO Tides, Water Levels and Currents Working Group, and the altimetry and tsunami communities;
• Producing scientific and technical outputs, including annual reports, publications, and this web presence.

Get involved

Core group members contribute scientific expertise, participate in at least one annual meeting, and support reporting and liaison activities relevant to their area. The Commission's full mandate and structure are set out in its Terms of Reference. If you are interested in contributing, see Contact.