Long-Term Stability of Sea Surface Topography from Topex/Poseidon Altimetry

The stability of the mean ocean level was investigated using the T/P altimeter data of 1993-1997 in 39 blocks of about 30° by 30°: 20 blocks forming the Pacific Ocean, 10 the Atlantic, and 9 blocks in the Indian Ocean. The 1993-1997 yearly means were found to be nearly constant, the computed linear terms came out as: (0.9±1.3) mm/year for the Pacific, (0.3±1.1) mm/year for the Atlantic, (–0.7 ± 1.4) mm/year for the Indian Ocean. No SST model was used in the solution.