(1) What is the small-scale (1-100 km) variability of ocean surface topography that
determines the velocity of ocean currents? How are fronts and eddies formed and
evolving? How is oceanic kinetic energy dissipated?
(2) What is the synoptic variability of coastal currents? How do the coastal currents
interact with the open ocean variability? What are the effects of coastal currents on
marine life, ecosystems, waste disposal, and transportation?
(3) How does the small-scale ocean variability interact with the atmosphere? Does
this interaction provide a mechanism of dissipation of ocean kinetic energy? How
does a hurricane interact with the small-scale variability of the upper ocean heat
storage? What is the ocean's dynamic response to hurricanes? How is the new
knowledge to be used to improve hurricane forecast?
(4) How do changes in the global water cycle, both natural and anthropogenic, lead
to sea level change? How do variations in continental water discharge contribute to
sea level change? What role does the storage of water in artificial reservoirs and
lakes play in the sea level change budget? How do variations in coastal sea
level change affect predictions of water inundation due to sea level rise and/or
storm surge.