MEDITERRANEAN SURFACE GEOSTROPHIC CIRCULATION FROM SATELLITE DATA

Abstract

In this work, we provide an updated geodetic approach to the Mediterranean Surface Geostrophic circulation based onsatellite data. We follow same methodology as in a previous approach by Vigo et al. (2018), but here both the Sea SurfaceHeight (SSH) and the Geoid (N) have been updated by enhanced solutions, and the time period covered has beenextended to 23 years, from 1993 to 2015. The main general pattern of circulation is confirmed with respect to previousapproach, but the new estimation provides enhanced resolution of the details, and higher variations in the climatology.When compare both satellite data-based approaches to the Mediterranean Surface Geostrophic Circulation (SGC) withMercator model simulations that assimilates in-situ measurements, our new estimate shows clearly better agreement thanthe earlier approach. The mean circulation for the studied period, and the climatology of the SGC for the MediterraneanSea are presented in the context of previous literature.