Preparation for the launch of the SWOT satellite
Oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. They provide us with half the oxygen we need to breathe. Silently, the movement of its waters affects the entire planet, as does the movement of air in the atmosphere.
Over the past 50 years, the oceans have cushioned the effects of climate change. They have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat and almost 30% of the CO2 emissions produced by humans. Any alteration in oceanic physics and chemistry could have serious consequences.
In the year 2021, the Swot satellite will begin to unravel the secrets of the movement of the oceans. Just after its launch, it will send measurements of the waters of the south of Mallorca for study. Before that, dozens of scientists will work in a coordinated manner to characterize the area, within the Pre-Swot project.
Micro-documentary
Informative video of the PRE-SWOT project. PRE-SWOT is the Spanish contribution to the international scientific team of the SWOT satellite (Surface Water Ocean Topography) in the pre-launch activities.
The PRE-SWOT project (CTM2016-78607-P) is funded by the State Agency for Research and European Regional Development Funds (AEI / FEDER, EU).
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Ananda Pascual
Micro-documentary produced by the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB) in collaboration with the Coastal Observation and Prediction System of the Balearic Islands (SOCIB).