The DTU17 global marine gravity field: First validation results

Abstract

The most recent released global marine gravity field from DTU Space takes into account the new SARAL/AltiKa geodetic mission initiated in 2016 along with new improved Arctic processing of the Cryosat-2 mission. With its 369 days repeat cycle, Cryosat-2 provides one repeat of geodetic mission data with 8 km global resolution each year since its launch in 2010. Together with the Jason-1 end-of-life geodetic mission in 2012 and 2013, we now have more than five times as many geodetic missions sea surface height observations compared with the old ERS-1 and Geosat geodetic missions. The DTU17 has been derived focusing on improving the coastal and Arctic gravity field, enhancing the shorter wavelength of the gravity field (10–15 km). For DTU17, we find a substantial improvement in marine gravity mapping as shown through comparison with high quality airborne data flown north of Greenland in 2009.