Question
Where can I get historical tide data?
Answer
To date, sea level changes have not been implicated in any substantial environmental, humanitarian, or economic losses. Previous claims have been made that parts of the island nations of Tuvalu were "sinking" as a result of sea level rise. However, subsequent reviews have suggested that the loss of land area was the result of erosion during and following the actions of 1997 cyclones Gavin, Hina, and Keli. The islands in questions were not populated. Reuters has reported other Pacific islands are facing a severe risk including Tegua island in Vanuatu,. There are claims that Vanuatu data shows no net sea level rise. These claims are not substantiated by tide gauge data and are reminiscent of claims made in Michael Crichton's State of Fear that there is no threat to this island chain. Vanuatu tide gauge data from http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/pubi/met.monthly.data/741002.metdata show a net rise of ~50 mm from 1994-2004. Linear regression of this short time series suggests a rate of rise of ~7 mm/y, though there is considerable variability and the exact threat to the islands is difficult to assess using such a short time series. According to Patrick J. Michaels, "In fact, areas to the west such as Tuvalu show substantial declines in sea level over that period." Despite President Gayoom speaking in the past about the impending dangers to his country, the Maldives, research found that the people of the Maldives have in the past survived a higher sea level about 50-60 cm and there is evidence of a significant sea level fall in the last 30 years in that Indian Ocean area (20-30 cm).
— Source: Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org)