This dataset consists of 33 years (1985 to 2018), of global significant wave height and wind speed obtained from 13 altimeters, namely: GEOSAT, ERS-1, TOPEX, ERS-2, GFO, JASON-1, ENVISAT, JASON-2, CRYOSAT-2, HY-2A, SARAL, JASON-3 and SENTINEL-3A.
The altimeter data have been calibrated and validated against National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) buoy data. Differences between altimeter and buoy data as a function of time are investigated for long-term stability. A cross validation between altimeters is also carried out in order to check the stability and consistency of the calibrations developed. Quantile-quantile comparisons between altimeter and buoy data as well as between altimeters are undertaking to test consistency of probability distributions and extreme value performance. The data were binned into 1o by 1o bins globally, to provide convenient access for users to download only the regions of interest. All data is quality controlled. This globally calibrated and cross-validated dataset provides a single point of storage for all altimeter missions in a consistent format.
The ongoing IMOS (Integrated Marine Observing System) Surface Waves Sub-Facility Altimeter Wave/Wind database is available through the Australian Ocean Data Network portal (https://portal.aodn.org.au/search?uuid=91ae1b2f-39e4-4d30-a853-5deb774614ca), the main repository for marine data in Australia. The data represented by this metadata record is a snapshot of the database at the time of this publication (December 2018), and has been assigned a DOI and will be maintained in perpetuity by the AODN.
