Investigations of the Tasman Sea by satellite altimetry

Abstract

Altimeter data obtained over a period of 3.6 years (from April 1975 to November 1978) and over the winter period July-September 1978 from the GEOS-3 and SEASAT satellites were used to study the spatial distribution of mesoscale sea-surface variability in the Tasman Sea. Satellite data generally agreed with existing hydrographic measurements. Patterns of higher sea-surface variability were shown to be associated with the East Australian Current and eddy areas. Though the Tasman Front is known to be present at certain times of the year, it is concluded that it is not a permanent feature across the Tasman Sea. Low variability levels in the mid-Tasman Sea are seemingly dictated by the Lord Howe Rise, thus suggesting some sort of topographic influence.