Accuracy assessment of global internal-tide models using satellite altimetry

Abstract. Altimeter measurements are corrected for several geophysical parameters in order to access ocean signals of interest, like mesoscale or sub-mesoscale variability. The tide is one the most critical corrections due amplitude tidal elevations and aliasing phenomena high-frequency into lower-frequency band, but internal-tide signatures at surface not yet globally. Internal tides can have a signature centimeters with wavelengths about 50–250 km first mode even smaller scales higher-order modes. goals upcoming Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission other high-resolution make correction these small-scale challenge, as all variability becomes mandatory accurate oceanic signals. In this context, scientific teams working on development new models, taking advantage very long altimeter time series now available, which represent an unprecedented valuable global database. models presented here focus coherent signal they three types: empirical based upon analysis existing missions, assimilative model three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. A detailed comparison validation proposed using satellite databases. focuses four main constituents: M2, K1, O1 S2. process statistical multi-mission altimetry including Jason-2 Cryosphere Satellite-2 data. results show significant variance reduction when regions where internal generating propagating. complementary spectral also gives some estimation performance each function wavelength insight residual non-stationary part different interest. This work led implementation (ZARON'one) next data records version-F (GDR-F) standards.