[CF-metadata] water level with/without datum

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:28:56 +0000

Dear Olivier

> - In the satellite dataset, CF attribute would be
> sea_surface_height_above_..
>
> - In the in-situ dataset, CF attribute would be
> water_body_surface_height_above..

I believe that we have agreed to call the latter water_surface_height_above...
(John's suggestion).

Are you happy with that? I think this general name could be used for sea,
lake or river, but we also keep the sea_surface_height for sea specifically.
I think sea_surface_height is the name which should be used for both
satellite altimetry and tide-gauge measurements (on the sea). It's the same
geophysical quantity, whichever way it's measured, so it should have the
same name. water_surface_height could equally be used for either measurement
method, and is appropriate if the data are not just for the sea.

This sidesteps the general issue of sea/lake/river terms. The use of "surface"
in water_surface makes it clear enough where the water is. If someone is
definitely asking for a standard name which refers to a property of water in
in sea, lake or river in general, we can return to that discussion. Roy gave a
use case, but I'm not sure if that's a definite need. At present, my own
preference would be for the lengthy but clear phrase sea_or_lake_or_river.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Fri Mar 05 2010 - 06:28:56 GMT