CryoSat Workshop, March 9, CryoSat: showing the way to a future of improved ocean mapping Walter H. F. Smith NOAA Lab for Satellite Altimetry Silver Spring, Maryland

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, Ocean altimetry of VD, G, and B Sea surface slope reveals Vertical Deflection of Gravity, and may be correlated with Bathymetry. CryoSat offers first space-test of improved resolution of VD, G & B, with many applications.

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, Resolve Control on Ocean Mixing Rate Spatial variations in bottom roughness change mixing rates by order of magnitude (vertical diffusivity 10  4 at right; actual in situ data shown). 10–30 km bathymetry controls mixing Higher-resolution altimetry can map the controlling scales. Slower Mixing Smoother bottom Faster Mixing Rougher bottom

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, Increase seamount detection 17x Probably 50,000 seamounts 1 km tall remain undetected. 2x better seamount resolution will find 17x more seamounts.

CryoSat Workshop, March 9,

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, CryoSat: showing the way ahead CryoSat is the first non-repeat-track (“geodetic orbit”) altimeter since ERS-1 (1994) and Geosat (1985). Sandwell et al. will use CryoSat conventional altimeter mode data over global ocean to improve marine gravity field. CryoSat SAR mode offers first space demonstration of delay-Doppler altimetry. Raney et al. will demonstrate improved  H and reduced sensitivity to SWH over ocean surface. Smith et al. will demonstrate improved resolution of VD, G & B over oceans.

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, Ocean mapping beyond CryoSat An ocean mapping mission needs: “Geodetic” (non-repeat) orbit SAR-mode over all ocean Moderate inclination CryoSat’s polar orbit resolves only N-S component of VD. North slope East slope 

CryoSat Workshop, March 9, Envisat measured the Indian Ocean tsunami ESA’s Envisat altimeter measured a sea level anomaly on 26 Dec 2004 associated with the tsunami. These data are being used at NOAA to improve a model for the tsunami source mechanism and wave field. Altimeters are the only source of deep- water data on this tsunami. A NOAA press release credits ESA for this valuable asset and contribution. See