Whats the difference between Ocean Surface Topography and Bathymetry?
TOPEX/Poseidon measures the precise shape of the ocean’s surface (the surface topography). Bathymetry refers to the relief on the floor of the ocean. The sea floor ridges, canyons, and abyssal plains, that lie up to depths of five miles beneath the ocean surface, yield different gravitational pulls on the ocean waters. The shape of the ocean bottom is thus reflected at the surface. For Nautical charts see The National Ocean Service’s (NOS) MapFinder. Bathymetry The map of the ocean floor (above) was produced by David Sandwell and Walter Smith using altimeter data from Geosat and ERS altimeters. These two scientists have a highly recommended site, Exploring the ocean basins with satellite altimeter data, that explain the methods of deriving this map from ocean altimetry as well as uses for this type of information. When TOPEX/Poseidon data are used in this type of product, they provide a minor improvement because the track spacing at the equator is ~300 km, optimized for oceanographic s
