Coastal marine gravity modelling from satellite altimetry – case study in the Mediterranean

Abstract The coastal marine gravity field is not well modelled due to poor data coverage. Recent satellite altimeters provide reliable altimetry observations near the coast, filling gaps between open ocean and land. We show potential of recent for modelling using least squares collocation technique. Gravity prediction error coast better than 4 mGal. anomalies are validated with sparse shipborne gravimetric measurements. obtained 4.86 mGal precision when best coverage retracked narrow primary peak retracker. predicted an enhancement EGM2008 over regions. improvement in alti- metric will be beneficial next generation EGM development.