Frequently asked questions
Registration/data access
/
- Is it possible to estimate geostrophic currents from altimetry data?
-
Satellite altimetry allows to measure the Sea Surface Height (SSH) with a few centimeters precision. Appart from the equatorial band (ie, 5°N,5°S), the geostrophy can be assumed with a good certainty: it means that the slope of the sea surface measured by the altimeter along the satellite track is assumed to be DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY. In other word, it means that this slope is directly related to the pressure gradient at the sea surface, and thus, to a GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY at the surface.
Category: Altimetry and Doris applications
Data and processing questions
/
- Is it possible to estimate geostrophic currents from altimetry data?
-
Satellite altimetry allows to measure the Sea Surface Height (SSH) with a few centimeters precision. Appart from the equatorial band (ie, 5°N,5°S), the geostrophy can be assumed with a good certainty: it means that the slope of the sea surface measured by the altimeter along the satellite track is assumed to be DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY. In other word, it means that this slope is directly related to the pressure gradient at the sea surface, and thus, to a GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY at the surface.
Category: Altimetry and Doris applications
Altimetry questions
/
- Is it possible to estimate geostrophic currents from altimetry data?
-
Satellite altimetry allows to measure the Sea Surface Height (SSH) with a few centimeters precision. Appart from the equatorial band (ie, 5°N,5°S), the geostrophy can be assumed with a good certainty: it means that the slope of the sea surface measured by the altimeter along the satellite track is assumed to be DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY. In other word, it means that this slope is directly related to the pressure gradient at the sea surface, and thus, to a GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY at the surface.
Category: Altimetry and Doris applications
Applications questions
/
- Is it possible to estimate geostrophic currents from altimetry data?
-
Satellite altimetry allows to measure the Sea Surface Height (SSH) with a few centimeters precision. Appart from the equatorial band (ie, 5°N,5°S), the geostrophy can be assumed with a good certainty: it means that the slope of the sea surface measured by the altimeter along the satellite track is assumed to be DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY. In other word, it means that this slope is directly related to the pressure gradient at the sea surface, and thus, to a GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY at the surface.
Category: Altimetry and Doris applications
Doris questions
/
- Is it possible to estimate geostrophic currents from altimetry data?
-
Satellite altimetry allows to measure the Sea Surface Height (SSH) with a few centimeters precision. Appart from the equatorial band (ie, 5°N,5°S), the geostrophy can be assumed with a good certainty: it means that the slope of the sea surface measured by the altimeter along the satellite track is assumed to be DYNAMIC TOPOGRAPHY. In other word, it means that this slope is directly related to the pressure gradient at the sea surface, and thus, to a GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY at the surface.
Category: Altimetry and Doris applications
Figures marked "Aviso", are copyright Cnes/CLS, but please feel free to use them, conditional on the figures not being altered, and their source being acknowledged, and with a link to this site where possible.
All other figures are copyrighted. Please do not copy without the owner's permission.