Abstract
One of the principal problems in separating the non-tidal Newtonian gravitational effects from other forces acting on the ocean surface with a resolution approaching the 10 cm level arises as a consequence ofall measurements of a geodetic nature being taken eitherat orto the ocean surface. The latter could be displaced by as much as ±2 m from the equipotential surface of the Earth’s gravity field corresponding to the mean level of the oceans at the epoch of observation— i.e., the geoid. A secondary problem of no less importance is the likelihood of all datums for geodetic levelling in different parts of the world not coinciding with the geoid as defined above.
It is likely that conditions will be favourable for the resolution of this problem in the next decade as part of the activities of NASA’s Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program (EOPAP). It is planned to launch a series of spacecraft fitted with altimeters for ranging to the ocean surface as part of this program.
Possible techniques for overcoming the problems mentioned above are outlined within the framework of a solution of the geodetic boundary value problem to ±5 cm in the height anomaly. The latter is referred to a “higher” reference surface obtained by incorporating the gravity field model used in the orbital analysis with that afforded by the conventional equipotential ellipsoidal model (Mather 1974 b). The input data for the solution outlined are ocean surface heights as estimated from satellite altimetry and gravity anomalies on land and continental shelf areas. The solution calls for a quadratures evaluation in the first instance.
The probability of success will be enhanced if care were paid to the elimination of sources of systematic error of long wavelength in both types of data as detailed in (Mather 1973 a; Mather 1974 b) prior to its collection and assembly for quadratures evaluations.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
R.S. MATHER, 1971: The Geocentric Orientation Vector for the Australian Geodetic Datum.Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 22, 55–81.
R.S. MATHER, 1973a: A Solution of the Geodetic Boundary Value Problem to Order e3.Doc X-592-73-11, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Md. 128 p.
R.S. MATHER, 1973 b: The Influence of Stationary Sea Surface Topography on Geodetic Considerations. InProc. Symposium on Earth’s Gravitational Field etc., Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, 585–599.
R.S. MATHER, 1973 c: Quasi-Stationary Sea Surface Topography and Variations of Mean Sea Level with Time—An Interim Compendium (1973).AAS/IAG Symposium on Earth’s Gravitational Field, etc., Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, 53 p.
R.S. MATHER, 1974 a: Geoid Definition for the Study of Sea Surface Topography from Satellite Altimetry.Proc. Symposium on Marine Geodesy, Columbus, Ohio. Marine Technology Society, Washington D.C. (in press).
R.S. MATHER, 1974 b: On the Solution of the Geodetic Boundary Value Problem for the Definition of Sea Surface Topography.Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. (in press).
M.S. MOLODENSKII, V.F. EREMEEV & M.I. YURKINA, 1962: Methods for the Study of the External Gravitational Field and Figure of the Earth. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.
NASA 1972: The Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program, Volumes 1 and 2. National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Washington D.C.
H. STOMMEL, 1965: The Gulf Stream. Univ. of California Press, Berkeley, California.
W. STURGES, 1973: Discrepancy between Geodetic and Oceanographic Levelling Along Continental Boundaries. InProc. Symposium on Earth’s Gravitational Field, etc., Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, 565–572.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mather, R.S. On the evaluation of stationary sea surface topography using geodetic techniques. Bull. Geodesique 115, 65–82 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02523944
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02523944