Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-979-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-979-2026
Research article
 | 
24 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 24 Mar 2026

Comparative mesoscale eddy dynamics under geostrophic versus cyclogeostrophic balance from satellite altimetry

Xinman Zhu, Yuhan Cao, Linxiao Liu, Yigang Deng, Ruixiang Liu, and Zhiwei You

Cited articles

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Cao, Y., Dong, C., Stegner, A., Bethel, B. J., Li, C., Dong, J., and Yang, J.: Global sea surface cyclogeostrophic currents derived from satellite altimetry data, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 128, e2022JC019357, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019357, 2023. 
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Short summary
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.
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