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A new high resolution geoid for the Iberian Atlantic continental shelf area

D. Arabelos, S.D. Spatalas, I.N. Tziavos, M.J. Sevilla, G. Rodriguez, C. De Toro, J. Catalao and J. Calvao

Abstract: 

The first results of the new high resolution gravimetric geoid in the Iberian Atlantic continental shelf area are presented. Sea gravity data properly validated and covering the area 35° ≤ φ ≤ 45°, 344° ≤ λ ≤ 353° are compared with satellite altimetry derived gravity anomalies in order to evaluate a 3' x 3' gravity anomaly grid. The effect of the topography/bathymetry is taken into account through the RTM method and according to a remove-restore technique. The EGM96 is used as a reference field. Geoid heights are computed in the 3' x 3' grid using the efficient 1D FFT procedure. In order to assess the quality of our computation in land from the gridded gravimetric heights, corresponding heights are interpolated onto GPS stations located on the mainland and along the west-coastal part of the Iberian peninsula as well. The standard deviation of the differences between the gravimetric and the GPS heights was found equal to 22 cm with a mean value equal to 55 cm.