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SPACE OCEANOGRAPHY
PROJECTS
  

MEAN SEA SURFACE

 

  Duration Contacts CLS tasks Users More


 

MEAN SEA SURFACE   

Duration: An initial global version was produced in 1998, then a second, more accurate, version in 2001. These plots are used in several projects, such as ENACT and GOCINA. See ENACT and GOCINA
Contact:

 

The mean sea surface (MSS) is the mean ocean height calculated over a given period. The MSS contains the marine geoid heights plus mean ocean dynamic topography data. Since the launch of Topex/Poseidon and ERS-1, the precision of orbitography and altimetry has been greatly improved. Satellite techniques are used to determine MSS with a centimeter level precision. The MSS is used as a reference for both altimetry and gravimetry.

CLS tasks:

CLS has produced two global mean sea surface plots, the first in 1998 under a SHOM contract, and the second in 2001 under a CNES contract. Since 2002, this activity is maintained throw ENACT and GOCINA projects.

  • Specific processing of altimetry data: Two types of altimeter data are used and processed by CLS to calculate a MSS: mean profiles (Topex/Poseidon, ERS-1/2, GEOSAT, GFO, ENVISAT, JASON) as a reference and data from geodetic missions (ERS1-GM, GEOSAT-GM), which provide access to short wavelengths of the MSS.

  • Monitoring and improving calculation methods: CLS regularly updates and improves calculation methods to optimize use of each data set.

  • Comparing and validating various MSS-related products: For definition of standard products for JASON and ENVISAT missions, CLS has been in charge of evaluating the quality and accuracy of various mean sea surfaces and derived fields.

  • User support: Both global MSS products calculated by CLS are available on the web. An answer is given to all users seeking more information (whether scientific or technical).

Users:

Since 1998, there have been more than one hundred requests from different countries (Europe, Asia, South and North America). MSS data are mostly used by researchers (laboratories, universities and companies) for oceanographic or geophysical studies (determining mean ocean dynamic topography, investigating short wavelengths of the gravity field, bathymetry and potential fields for orbitography). Industrial firms also use MSS and derived fields for geoprospecting and inertial navigation.

More:

Project web site:
MSS: http://www.cls.fr/mss

 
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