These four views of the Pacific Ocean were produced using sea surface height measurements taken by the U.S./French TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite. The images show sea surface height relative to normal ocean conditions from March 1997 through June 1997. When the sea surface height is above normal, it indicates that the temperature of the water is warmer than normal.

In the white areas, the sea surface is between 14 and 32 centimeters (6 to 13 inches) above normal; in the red areas, it’s about 10 centimeters (4 inches) above normal. The added amount of oceanic warm water near the Americas, with a temperature between 21-30 degrees Celsius (70-85 degrees Fahrenheit), is about 30 times the volume of water in all the U.S. Great Lakes combined. The green areas indicate normal conditions, while blue & purple means at least 18 centimeters (7 inches) below normal sea level.

1. For each of the above satellite images, describe where the ocean surface height is well above normal and where it is well below normal.
2. Why does greater ocean height indicate a warmer temperature of the water? (Hint: Think about the storm surge associated with hurricanes)