evaluation of sea surface topography models based on the combination of the satellite altimetry and the global geoid models in the Persian Gulf

ABSTRACT

One of the difficulties in using absolute altitudes is the separation between the mean open sea level and geoid. Theoretically, geoid is the base level in absolute altitudes, but practically, the mean open sea level is used as a base level for absolute altitudes. The difference between these two levels is called as the sea surface topography. In this research, it is dealt the mean sea level modeling by using the observations of three altimeter satellites [i.e. Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and GFO] in Persian Gulf and then it is dealt with the evaluation of existing models of the sea surface topography based on the altimeter satellites data and the global geopotential geoid models [i.e. European Improved Gravity model of the Earth by New techniques, Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer, Earth Gravitational Model 2008. The results of this research indicate that the sea surface topographical model resulting from the EIGEN06C geoid is the most precise model with changes range between -2.482 m and -1.511 m and mean -0.23 m