Extreme Sea-level Distribution and Return Periods in the Aegean and Ionian Seas

Extreme sea levels from 18 ports in the Aegean and Ionian Seas were analysed in the present study. The joint probability of ther-largest annual sea-level observations and the revised joint probability method have been used. Return periods and associated errors are produced from the two methodologies. The estimated return values are shown to be spatially coherent with enhanced values at the tide gauges located in the North Aegean and in enclosed gulfs. In spite of the low tidal and surge signal in the area, the estimated return values depend on the model chosen to represent the asymptotic distribution of the maxima of sea level.