EKE field daily global ocean

The Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE) calculation uses the CLS Surcouf Currents. These are surface currents  estimated from satellite-derived surface topography and wind stress using a physically based statistical model calibrated by 15 m drogued drifters. The model assumes a surface layer dominated by steady geostrophic and Ekman dynamics (Lagerloef et al., 1999)

The EKE is calculated using the velocity anomaly. This anomaly is obtained by removing from the daily current a 5 degrees/5 day  spatial temporal mean

EKE is a useful way of identifying eddy structures in the ocean. These are often associated with higher primary productivity.

Reference:

Lagerloef G., G. Mitchum, R. Lukas and P. Niiler (1999) Tropical Pacific near-surface currents estimated from altimeter, wind and drifter data. Journal of Geophysical Research , vol. 104, C10, 23313-23326.