A 10’ × 10’ detailed gravimetric geoid around Japan

Abstract

A detailed gravimetric geoid around Japan is computed based on 10’ X 10’ block mean gravity anomalies. The block mean gravity anomalies are obtained by the use of the least‐squares collocation technique from point gravity data in a gravity data file compiled by the Hydrographic Department of Japan. The available 1° x 1° block mean gravity anomalies are also used in data‐sparse areas. The GEM 10B earth gravity model is adopted as the global anomaly field. Meissl's modification is used in the performance of Stokes’ integral in order to reduce truncation errors. An integration cap with the radius of 10° is adopted. The computed geoid undulations are compared with the Seasat‐1 altimeter data, and the possibility of the detection of sea‐surface topography corresponding to the Kuro‐shio Current is investigated.