Satellite altimetry

Definition

Satellite altimetry is a remote sensing technique that uses satellites to measure the distance between the satellite and the Earth's surface, typically over oceans. By precisely calculating this distance, it provides vital data about sea level variations, ocean topography, and can help monitor ocean currents and global circulation patterns. This method is crucial for understanding how ocean dynamics affect climate and weather systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Satellite altimetry can detect changes in sea surface height with an accuracy of a few centimeters, allowing scientists to monitor sea level changes over time.
2. This technology helps in understanding ocean currents by measuring the gravitational effects of variations in sea surface height, which correspond to the underlying ocean topography.
3. Satellite altimetry has been instrumental in climate research, providing data that links ocean circulation patterns to broader climate changes and phenomena such as El Niño.
4. The first successful satellite altimetry missions were launched in the early 1990s, with missions like TOPEX/Poseidon paving the way for modern advancements in this field.
5. By studying changes in ocean surface height, satellite altimetry can reveal information about global heat distribution in the oceans, impacting weather patterns and climate systems.

Review Questions

• How does satellite altimetry contribute to our understanding of ocean currents and their effects on global circulation patterns?
  • Satellite altimetry plays a key role in understanding ocean currents by providing precise measurements of sea surface height. These measurements indicate variations in gravitational pull from underwater features, which helps scientists identify current flows and their interactions. By tracking these currents over time, researchers can better understand their impact on global circulation patterns and how they influence climate and weather systems.
• Evaluate the significance of satellite altimetry data in monitoring sea level rise and its implications for coastal communities.
  • The data collected through satellite altimetry is crucial for monitoring sea level rise accurately. By providing high-resolution measurements of sea surface height, researchers can assess how much sea levels are increasing over time. This information is vital for coastal communities as it helps predict potential flooding events, guides urban planning, and informs policies aimed at mitigating risks associated with rising seas.
• Assess the advancements in satellite altimetry technology since its inception and how these improvements have enhanced our understanding of ocean dynamics.
  • Since its inception in the early 1990s, satellite altimetry technology has seen significant advancements that have greatly improved its accuracy and reliability. Newer satellites employ advanced radar systems that allow for more precise measurements of sea surface heights. These improvements have enhanced our understanding of complex ocean dynamics by providing better data on current movements, temperature distribution, and their connections to climate change. As a result, researchers can make more informed predictions about weather patterns and their impacts on human populations.

Related terms

Sea Level Rise: The increase in the level of the world's oceans due to factors such as melting ice caps and thermal expansion caused by global warming.

Ocean Circulation: The large-scale movement of waters in the ocean, driven by factors such as wind, temperature differences, and salinity gradients.

Radar Altimeter: A device that measures altitude by bouncing radar signals off the Earth's surface and calculating the time it takes for the signals to return.