| Abstract: | Simulation studies are presented that consider the degree to which baroclinic ocean circulation models are constrained by observations of the surface pressure field on space and time-scales possible with future satellite-borne altimeters. Two- and three-layer eddy resolving quasi-geostrophic models are used to simulate and assimilate altimetric observations.For synoptic mapping of the oceanic eddy field on the scale of an ocean basin, a satellite orbit repeat time of 14 days is found to be optimum. Our studies suggest that altimetric observations will provide strong constraints on the surface flow of such models and, if used in conjunction with them, may be used to infer the deep flows. |
