The article presents the results of a study of Caspian Sea level fluctuations. The negative consequences of abrupt sea level changes (drop in 1929-1977 and rise in 1978-1995) in the coastal zone of the Republic of Azerbaijan are considered. Remote sensing (aerial photography of the coastal zone), contact measurements of sea level, as well as topographic and thematic maps have been used to study the coastal flooding of the Republic of Azerbaijan. About 100 maps of coastal flooding and underflooding on a scale of 1:25000 were produced. These materials are used to estimate the flooded area for administrative areas of the coastal zone. The negative impact of sea level rise on industrial and agricultural facilities located in the coastal zone, especially on the Absheron Peninsula, has been revealed. Thirty settlements, sanatoriums, holiday homes, boarding houses, beaches and many other facilities on the peninsula were subjected to flooding.
It has been revealed that climatic and geological processes are the main causes of sea level fluctuations. Against the background of long-period changes (occurring under the influence of tectonic processes), fluctuations caused by climate change are observed. Climate change cause changes in the hydrometeorological conditions of the catchment area and the sea, leading to changes in the elements of the Caspian Sea water balance. Based on the analysis of sea level plots over the last 3500 years, it is assumed that the sea level will continue to fall at least until the middle of the 21st century.

 

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