New ocean observations improve understanding of motion
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 - 10:31
in Earth & Climate
Oceanographers commonly calculate large scale surface ocean circulation from satellite sea level information using a concept called 'geostrophy', which describes the relationship between oceanic surface flows and sea level gradient. Conversely, researchers rely on data from in-water current meters to measure smaller scale motion. New research has determined from observational data the length scale at which using sea level height no longer offers a reliable calculation of circulation.