Ocean Circulation

The global oceans paly a critical role in the long timescale climate variations, with phenomena like the El Nino occurring on time scales of years, and other variations taking place on decadal and century time scales or longer (as evidenced in ice-core studies for example).  Ocean circulation determines the distribution of not only water and heat but essential quantities such as salt (or density) nutrients and greenhouse gases in the ocean.  

TOPEX/POSEIDON is the first satellite based on radar altimetry designed for studying the global ocean circulation.  

A summary report on Radar Altimetry by T. Moody.

Ocean Color

The newest Ocean Color Satellite is SeaWIFS (Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor), it was launched in August of 1997, and like the NASA TRMM satellite we recently discussed, this is one of the new Mission To Planet Earth Platforms.

NASA SeaWIFS

Observation made from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) a the radiometer that operated on NASA's Nimbus-7 satellite from 1978-1986:  Summary prepared by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Introduction History And Other Background Info Ocean Meanders Mediterranean Global Seasonal Change Coastal Features North Atlantic Productivity Upwelling Dynamics Indian Ocean Monsoon Western Boundary Currents Polar Productivity Image Compositing Global Biosphere Credits

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