In addition to satellite observations yielding SSH- and
SST-information, which also in the Institute of Oceanography of the
University of Hamburg (IfM) has intensively been used to validate and
to improve ocean model results, new satellites like CHAMP, GRACE and
GOCE will provide data of the Earth's time varying gravity field. Due
to these satellite missions providing gravity field information with
limited resolution in time as well in space, atmospheric and oceanic
models need to be used for the correction of these data. The gravity
field solutions obtained represent the integrated effect of all mass
variations in, on and above the Earth. Applying adequate models, it is
aimed at separating the integrated effect into its major sources und
using them to validate and to improve oceanic, hydrological and ice
mass models.
Generally, investigating the oceanic contribution to variations in
Earth rotation, surface deformations and the Earth's fields of gravity
and magnetism using advanced models and satellite data, in particular,
will belong to the specific research activities in the IfM. These are
intended to take into account the increasing possibilities in and
needs for understanding and predicting the evolution of the Earth
system as a whole with its interacting parts, i.e., atmosphere, ocean,
geosphere and biosphere. The HLRE is expected to become an excellent
tool for the investigations planned in this branch of Earth System
Research.