Comparison of Global Mean Sea Level Time Series from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and Jason-2

Abstract

In the interest of improving the sea level climate data record, we compare the 19-year global mean sea level (GMSL) time series derived from TOPEX-Poseidon, Jason-1, and Jason-2 and produced by different research institutions. The GMSL time series are each produced using varying techniques and different applied corrections, and subsequently, the time series exhibit unique characteristics and sensitivity to seasonal and interannual signals. We find that the different applied corrections affect the time series variability much less than the technique for computing the GMSL from along-track versus gridded sea surface height anomalies and the choice of a minimum depth criteria.

Keywords:

• Global mean sea level
• climate data record
• altimetry
• interannual variability

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by two grants from NASA (Ocean Surface Topography Science Team and the MEaSUREs Project). Additional support from GSFC, NOAA, CNES, CLS, and CSIRO is also acknowledged.