Geostrophic Current From Slope Calculator
Signed two-component geostrophic surface slope relation with callerf, x/y local axes and balanced regime explicit; not coordinate conversion. Caller independently establishes units, regime, calibration and applicability; this does not establish design-code compliance, authenticity, operational safety, treatment efficacy or a validated forecast.
Description
Geostrophic surface currents balance a sea-surface pressure gradient with the Coriolis effect.
Geostrophic surface currents balance a sea-surface pressure gradient with the Coriolis effect.1
Local axes and the sign of the Coriolis parameter determine the signed velocity components.
When to use Geostrophic Current From Slope Calculator
Use this tool to calculate or review the supplied observations under the stated rules. Match the observation interval, units, datum, coordinate signs and model regime.
How to use Geostrophic Current From Slope Calculator and understand its results
- Match the observation interval, units, datum, coordinate signs and model regime.
- Enter observedHeightGradientX, observedHeightGradientY, callerCoriolisPerSecond, gravityMSecond2, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read geostrophicVelocityXMSecond, geostrophicVelocityYMSecond. Inspect nested result fields where present, and review unknown records separately from known matches.
- Correct any reported input issue and run again. Before using a successful result, check the stated units, signs, reference scope and observation coverage.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| observedHeightGradientX | Observed height gradient x | number | Required |
| observedHeightGradientY | Observed height gradient y | number | Required |
| callerCoriolisPerSecond | Caller coriolis per second | number | Required |
| gravityMSecond2 | Gravity m second2 | number | Required |
Require positive gravity and nonzero finite Coriolis parameter. Use finite surface slopes in stated local x/y axes; compute u=−g×ySlope/f and v=g×xSlope/f. The calculation does not establish the balanced-flow regime.
u=−g(∂η/∂y)/f; v=g(∂η/∂x)/f Use the matching field units and the exact boundary, ordering and reference rules above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| geostrophicVelocityXMSecond | Geostrophic velocity x m second | number |
| geostrophicVelocityYMSecond | Geostrophic velocity y m second | number |
{
"input": {
"observedHeightGradientX": 0.000001,
"observedHeightGradientY": 0.000002,
"callerCoriolisPerSecond": 0.0001,
"gravityMSecond2": 10
},
"output": {
"geostrophicVelocityXMSecond": -0.19999999999999998,
"geostrophicVelocityYMSecond": 0.09999999999999999
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The stated observation or model covers only the supplied record and reference regime. It does not fill missing measurements, supply uncertainty estimates or produce a validated forecast.
Missing required fields, unknown fields, wrong types and violated rules return input issues. Numeric values and outputs must be finite.
Alternative or Complementary methods
For a related step, use Volume Transport Strait Section Calculator: A section transport combines area and signed velocity normal to each sampled cell. For a complementary comparison, use Dynamic Topography Altimetry Residual Calculator: Altimetric dynamic-topography anomalies depend on compatible surface, geoid and mean-topography references.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Volume Transport Strait Section Calculator
A section transport combines area and signed velocity normal to each sampled cell.
- Dynamic Topography Altimetry Residual Calculator
Altimetric dynamic-topography anomalies depend on compatible surface, geoid and mean-topography references.