Dear Jonathan and all
I think what you suggested seems to be good, so I propose you some new
satellite altimetry standard names.
I don't think we'll need
"surface_Xward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity_assuming_reference_ellipsoid_for_geoid",
so I haven't kept it.
I also tried to give an explanation based on the definitions given in the
standard name table; please let me know if something is not clear.
So what do you think about:
1) sea_surface_height_above_reference_ellipsoid
units: m
2) surface_eastward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity, ms-1
3) surface_northward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity, ms-1
Explanation:
The surface called "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere.
"Water" means water in all phases, including frozen i.e. ice and snow. A
velocity is a vector quantity. "Eastward" indicates a vector component
which is positive when directed eastward (negative westward). "Northward"
indicates a vector component which is positive when directed northward
(negative southward). "Geostrophic" indicates that geostrophic balance is
assumed.
surface_northward(eastward)_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity is the sum of a
variable part
[surface_northward(eastward)_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity_assuming_sea_level_for_geoid]
and of a constant part due to the stationary component of ocean circulation.
4)
surface_eastward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity_assuming_sea_level_for_geoid,
ms-1
5)
surface_northward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity_assuming_sea_level_for_geoid,
ms-1
Explanation:
The surface called "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere.
"Water" means water in all phases, including frozen i.e. ice and snow. A
velocity is a vector quantity. "Eastward" indicates a vector component
which is positive when directed eastward (negative westward). "Northward"
indicates a vector component which is positive when directed northward
(negative southward)."Geostrophic" indicates that geostrophic balance is
assumed. The geoid is a surface of constant geopotential.
surface_eastward
(northward)_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity_assuming_sea_level_for_geoid is
the variable part of [surface_northward_sea_water_geostrophic_velocity].
"sea_level" means mean sea level, and is assumed to be equal to the geoid
so that the stationary component of ocean circulation is equal to zero.
Waiting for your feedback,
Regards
Olivier Lauret
CLS Space Oceanography Division
Data Information and Diffusion
8-10 rue Hermes,
31526 Ramonville-St-Agne, Cedex, France
Email: olivier.lauret at cls.fr
Tel: (+33) (0) 561 39 48 51
Fax:(+33) (0) 561 39 48 51
Internet:
http://www.cls.fr
http://www.aviso.oceanobs.com/
Received on Fri Aug 25 2006 - 09:30:56 BST
