Editing Jason-1 (section)

== Benefits to society ==
Altimetry data have a wide variety of uses from basic scientific research on climate to ship routing. Applications include:

* [[Climatology|Climate Research]]: altimetry data are incorporated into computer models to understand and predict changes in the distribution of heat in the ocean, a key element of climate.
* [[El Niño]] and [[La Niña]] Forecasting: understanding the pattern and effects of climate cycles such as El Niño helps predict and mitigate the disastrous effects of floods and drought.
* [[Hurricane]] Forecasting: altimeter data and satellite ocean wind data are incorporated into atmospheric models for hurricane season forecasting and individual storm severity.
* Ship Routing: maps of [[ocean currents]], eddies, and vector winds are used in commercial shipping and recreational yachting to optimize routes.
* Offshore Industries: cable-laying vessels and offshore oil operations require accurate knowledge of ocean circulation patterns to minimize impacts from strong currents.
* [[Marine Mammal]] Research: sperm whales, fur seals, and other marine mammals can be tracked, and therefore studied, around ocean eddies where nutrients and plankton are abundant.
* [[Fisheries]] Management: satellite data identify ocean eddies which bring an increase in organisms that comprise the marine food web, attracting fish and fishermen.
* [[Coral Reef]] Research: remotely sensed data are used to monitor and assess coral reef ecosystems, which are sensitive to changes in ocean temperature.
* [[Marine Debris]] Tracking: the amount of floating and partially submerged material, including nets, timber and ship debris, is increasing with human population. Altimetry can help locate these hazardous materials.