Mesoscale eddies influence marine life and global climate, yet past studies neglected curvature effects. Using satellite data from geostrophic and cyclogeostrophic balance (including centrifugal force), we analyzed five North Pacific regions. Cyclogeostrophic eddies were larger but shorter-lived. Anticyclonic eddies move faster, store more energy, yet are less stable and break up easily. This improves surface flow dynamics insights, enhancing climate and marine ecosystem models.