Theoretical mean water and geodetical height systems in Finland

Theoretical mean water, MW

Theoretical mean water, also known as theoretical mean sea level (MSL), is an estimate for the long-term expectation value of sea level, made for practical purposes. Land uplift, global sea level rise, as well as changes in the Baltic Sea water balance are taken into account. Because of these changes, the theoretical mean sea level is not a constant. The rate of change of the theoretical mean sea level from year to year is not constant either, due to changing rate of the global sea level rise and changes in the Baltic Sea water balance. The Finnish Meteorological Institute confirms the height of the theoretical mean sea level annually, using the most recent knowledge on the past and future changes of the factors affecting the sea level.

The theoretical mean sea level has been commonly used in Finland as a reference level when sea level information is given for instance on the internet, radio and in the newspapers. Also depth data in nautical charts have been given in relation to the theoretical mean sea level. Since 2021 data has been also given commonly in N2000-system.

N2000

The height system N2000 is based on the Third Levelling of Finland (1978–2006). It is a Finnish realization of the common European height system, and its datum is derived from NAP (Normaal Amsterdams Peil). The countries around the Baltic Sea use a collective name of the system, which is Baltic Sea Chart Datum 2000, or abbreviation BSCD2000. It is the same as the N2000 height system in Finland.The heights of N2000 differ 13–43 cm from the heights of the previous Finnish national height system N60. Most of the difference is due to the land uplift during 40 years: the N2000 heights are corrected for vertical motion to the epoch 2000, and those of N60 to 1960. There are also differences in the computation methods.

Theoretical mean water (MW) scale´s height varies a bit yearly but N2000 scale is fixed.

Transitioning to the N2000 height system

For the time being, the Finnish Meteorological Institute has stated the sea level values primarily in relation to the theoretical mean sea level. One of the biggest reasons for this practice has been that also the depth data of nautical charts have been stated in relation to the theoretical mean water. This is about to change when the height system of the nautical charts is switched over to the BSCD (N2000) height system. The change is going to happen area by area and it is executed by Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). The first nautical charts with N2000 height system will be published in 2021 from the Bay of Bothnia. It has been estimated that all of the nautical charts of the Finnish sea areas will be switched to N2000 in about 6 years from that. Because of this change, sea level observations and forecasts are going to be offered more widely in the N2000 height system. More information on the renewal of the nautical charts from Traficom.

Theoretical mean water and N2000

Differences between the theoretical mean water and N2000 sea levels.

Theoretical mean water (MW or MSL)

• Zero level is approximately the average sea level of a year.

• More precise, it´s the expected value.

• Zero level changes yearly because of

  • land uplift

  • global sea level rise

• Main system until 2021

N2000 (= BSCD2000)

• Zero level doesn´t change.

• Available in most of sea level products since September 2021.

Older geodetic height systems in Finland

NN

The first high-precision levelling in Finland was carried out in 1892–1910, resulting in the height system NN. However, it did not correspond to the geoid as accurately as N60. The zero level for NN was defined to be the zero point of a water level scale situated at Katajanokka, Helsinki. It was 30.465 meters below the main benchmark of Finland, located near the Astronomical Observatory in Helsinki.

N43

The second high-precision levelling in Finland was carried out in 1935–1975. The height system N43 vas defined based on the results of the years 1935–1955. In defining this height system, the whole levelling network was not used. Land uplift during the measurement period was not taken into account either.

N60

The height system N60 was calculated based on the two earlier high-precision levellings after the second one was completed. The land uplift was also taken into account. Thus, N60 is considered to correspond to the geoid more accurately than the previous systems, NN or N43.

Conversion tables

Annual theoretical mean sea level values on the Finnish coast referenced to the geodetic height systems (N2000, N60, N43 and NN) are given in the tables below.

For example in Kemi theoretical mean water 0-point is 15 cm heigher than 0-point in N2000 system. The difference between N2000 and 2021 mean water is only 9,2 cm.

Mareograph measurements

At the Finnish mareographs, sea level is measured related to a fixed reference level of each mareograph. This reference level is bound to the geodetic height systems, and its datum (zero level) lies about two meters below the estimated mean sea level of 1921. The possible movement of a mareograph related to its reference level is checked by annual levelings to a nearby benchmark. Every three years the stability of the mareograph and its benchmark is verified by levelings to other local bedrock-bound benchmarks.

Examples of height system calculations

Example 1: Convert MW to N2000 or N60

In 2000, a sea level value of +15 cm, referenced to the theoretical mean sea level, was measured at Helsinki. The sea level is converted to N2000 and N60 systems, respectively, as follows:

• The heights of the theoretical mean sea level in 2000 (MW2000) in relation to the N2000 system, +186 mm, and in relation to the N60 system, -66 mm, at Helsinki are obtained from the mean sea level table. Thus, the zero level of MW2000 is 186 mm above the zero level of N2000, and 66 mm below the zero level of N60.

• The sea level in N2000 is:  +15 cm + 18.6 cm = +33.6 cm

• The sea level in N60 is:  +15 cm - 6.6 cm = +8.4 cm. 

Example 2: Convert MW2012 to MW2005

In 2012, a sea level value of -22 cm, referenced to the theoretical mean sea level of 2012 (MW2012), was measured at Pietarsaari. The sea level in relation to the theoretical mean sea level of 2005 (MW2005) is obtained as follows, utilizing the geodetic height systems:

Using the N2000 height system:

• The MW2012 zero level is 107 mm above the zero level of the N2000 system.

• The MW2005 zero level is 137 mm above the zero level of the N2000 system.

• Thus, the zero level of MW2005 is 30 mm above the zero level of MW2012.

• The sea level in MW2005 is: -22 cm – 3.0 cm = -25.0 cm

Using the N60 height system:

• The MW2012 zero level is 333 mm below the zero level of the N60 system.

• The MW2005 zero level is 303 mm below the zero level of the N60 system.

• Thus, the zero level of MW2005 is 30 mm above the zero level of MW2012.

• The sea level in MW2005 is: -22 cm - 3.0 cm = -25.0 cm

Example 3: Calculate land uplift

How much has the land risen from the sea at Pietarsaari during 1960-2010?

• The height of the theoretical mean sea level in 1960 (MW1960) in relation to the N2000 system is +464 mm at Pietarsaari, as obtained from the mean sea level table. Likewise, the height of the theoretical mean sea level in 2010 (MW2010) is +115 mm.

• Between 1960 and 2010, the land has risen 464 mm – 115 mm = 349 mm. The average rate of rise was 7.0 mm/v during these 50 years.