Satellite altimetry

Definition

Satellite altimetry is a remote sensing technology that measures the distance between a satellite and the Earth's surface to determine variations in sea surface height. This technique provides critical data for monitoring sea level rise, understanding ocean dynamics, and assessing changes in regional sea levels, making it essential for various studies related to coastal resilience and climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Satellite altimetry uses radar signals sent from satellites to measure how long it takes for the signal to bounce back from the ocean surface, allowing for precise height measurements.
2. This technology has been crucial in providing data on global sea level trends over the past few decades, indicating an overall increase in average sea levels.
3. Satellite altimetry can detect regional variations in sea level caused by factors such as ocean currents, temperature changes, and local land subsidence.
4. The data obtained through satellite altimetry has been instrumental in improving our understanding of ocean circulation patterns and their effects on climate systems.
5. Satellite missions like TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 have significantly advanced our ability to monitor sea level changes and contribute to climate change research.

Review Questions

• How does satellite altimetry contribute to our understanding of sea level rise?
  • Satellite altimetry plays a crucial role in monitoring sea level rise by providing accurate measurements of sea surface height over time. By comparing these measurements, scientists can identify trends indicating how much sea levels are rising globally. This data is essential for predicting future impacts on coastal areas, which helps inform policy decisions and climate adaptation strategies.
• Discuss the advantages of using satellite altimetry compared to traditional measurement methods for bathymetric surveying.
  • Using satellite altimetry for bathymetric surveying offers significant advantages over traditional methods such as ship-based surveys. Satellite altimetry allows for the collection of large-scale data over vast ocean areas more efficiently and cost-effectively. Additionally, it provides continuous monitoring capabilities that can capture dynamic changes in sea level and ocean topography, which are often missed with localized measurements.
• Evaluate the implications of satellite altimetry data on understanding regional variations in sea level rise and its impact on coastal resilience.
  • The implications of satellite altimetry data on understanding regional variations in sea level rise are profound. By revealing how different areas experience varying rates of sea level change, this data helps identify regions at greater risk from flooding or erosion. These insights enable targeted interventions and resource allocation for coastal resilience efforts, allowing communities to better prepare for and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Related terms

Remote Sensing: The process of collecting data about the Earth's surface using satellite or aerial sensor technologies.

Sea Level Rise: An increase in the level of the world's oceans due to factors like climate change and melting ice sheets.

Geodesy: The science of measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravitational field.