Sea level and ocean dynamics

Sea level and ocean dynamics monitoring measures global mean sea level, regional sea-level anomaly, ocean surface topography, circulation indicators, and sea state.^[1][2][3]

Satellite radar altimetry is the reference EO method for global sea level and ocean surface topography, with the continuous precision record beginning with TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-era missions in 1992 to 1993.^[1][2][3]

Sentinel-6 extends the Jason series sea-surface height record using radar altimetry and supports climate monitoring and operational oceanography.^[3]

Altimetry measures sea surface height over open ocean best; coastal zones, sea ice margins, tides, atmospheric corrections, and vertical land motion require specialised processing and complementary data.^[2][1]