Υπάρχουν πολύ παράγοντες που μπορούν να επιφέρουν βραχυπρόθεσμες (μερικά λεπτά έως 14 μήνες) αλλαγές στην στάθμη της θάλασσας όπως οι παλίρροιες, τα κύματα, τα κύματα καταιγίδας, οι σεισμοί και οι εποχιακές διακυμάνσεις.
Πίνακας 1: Βραχυπρόθεσμες και περιοδικές αλλαγές της στάθμης της θάλασσας
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise)
| Short-term (periodic) causes | Time scale (P = period) | Vertical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Periodic sea level changes | ||
| Diurnal and semidiurnal astronomical tides | 12-24 h P | 0.2-10- m |
| Spring tides | Twice a month | * |
| Rotational variations (Chandler wobble) | 14 month P | * |
| Meteorological and oceanographic fluctuations | ||
| Atmospheric pressure | Hours to months | – 0.7 to 1.3 m |
| Winds (storm surges) | 1-5 days | Up to 5 m |
| Evaporation and precipitation (may also follow long-term pattern) | Days to weeks | |
| Ocean surface topography (changes in water density and currents) | Days to weeks | Up to 1 m |
| El Nino southern oscillation | 6 months every 5-10 yr |
Up to 0.6 m |
| Seasonal variations | ||
| Seasonal water balance among oceans (Atlantic. Pacific. Indian) | * | * |
| Seasonal variations in slope of water surface | * | * |
| River runoff floods | 2 months | lm |
| water density changes (temperature and salinity) | 6 months | 0.2 m |
| Seasonal Seiches | ||
| Seiches (standing waves) | Minutes to hours | Up to 2 m |
| Earthquakes | ||
| Tsunamis (generate catastrophic long-period waves) | Hours | Up to 10 m |
| Abrupt change in land level | Minutes | Up to 10 m |
| * Effects change locally. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise | ||