Sea Level Viewer

Randall Jackson, for NASA

Video and animations of sea level from NASA's Climate website. Since 1992, NASA and CNES have studied sea surface topography as a proxy for ocean temperatures. NASA Missions TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason 1 and Jason 2 have been useful in predicting major climate, weather, and geologic events including El Nino, La Nina, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Could be shown in class or used by students as independent activity.
This video interactive educates the viewer on the role that satellites play in studying the topography and temperature of sea water. It also shows how satellites can provide useful information for understanding and predicting major oceanographic events. Digital satellite imagery is used throughout to show changes in sea surface height and ocean temperature. Background information is available by clicking on the "find out more" button. The latest view is in 2013, and conditions have changed since then. If needed, educators should seek updated information. Comments from expert scientist: This activity presents a good overview of space missions that are concerned with sea level heights. It introduces good examples of why this is a relevant topic of research.
The video interactive educates the viewer on the roles satellites have played in understanding how sea-level data can be used to understand and predict oceanographic phenomena. It is a unique resource showing the relationship between water temperature and sea-level height. The video has several components that can be examined separately. There are no prerequisite skills needed. It has well-organized information and a pleasing layout. There is no suggested teaching sequence and no teachers' guide is provided. Students would be engaged.