CLS is in charge of the processing and the analysis of altimetric data for CANIGO, in order to describe the variability of the Canary basin circulation, and to participate in the comparison of satellite observations with in-situ data and models.

CLS work is coordinated by P.Y. Le Traon. F. Hernandez is in charge of the altimetric data analysis, and E. Dombrowsky of the model/assimilation studies. The three people have already been involved in both satellite altimetry and Azores-Canary basin ocean studies (see bibliography). Marie-Helene Calvez, Nicolas Ducet, Sylvie Giraux, Jerome Patoux, and Philippe Schaeffer have been involved in the different tasks of the project.

More specifically, CLS will :

• Process  TOPEX/POSEIDON,  ERS-1 and  ERS-2 over the period October 1992 - October 1997.  T/P will be used as a reference for the other data sets. Maps of Sea Level Anomaly will be calculated by objectively analyzing the altimetric data.  T/P,  ERS-1/2, and combined  T/P + ERS-1/2 will then be compared to infer the contribution of the different satellites.

• Make available the processed data to CANIGO partners.

• Investigate with the altimeter data the variability of the Canary basin oceanic surface circulation. Focus on the seasonal and interannual variations of the subtropical gyre, the mesoscale variability and waves, the regional heat content, and the relation between the sea level and the wind stress.

• Assimilate altimetric data into a quasi-geostrophic model, to provide a 4D dynamical interpolation of the data and set a long term monitoring of the 3D circulation.