Bringing together researchers from several countries to share four years of research results, the final annual FaSt-SWOT meeting reviewed the project’s activities and scientific outcomes, discussed publication plans and future collaborations, and highlighted the value of international scientific cooperation in addressing major environmental challenges.
The final annual FaSt-SWOT meeting, held on 13 July at IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Spain, aimed to provide an overview of the activities carried out over the four years of the project and to discuss publication plans and further collaborations.
Running from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2026, FaSt-SWOT was the Spanish contribution to SWOT CalVal. Its objectives included contributing to the validation of SWOT satellite observations; integrating those observations with in-situ measurements and high-resolution models; understanding the 3D dynamics linked to small-scale ocean features (10–100 km); and sampling a small-scale eddy in situ while tracking its evolution during the SWOT fast-sampling phase in the Balearic Sea.
Two campaigns were carried out — FaSt-SWOT leg 1 (25–29 April 2023) and FaSt-SWOT leg 2 (7–9 May 2023) — during which measurements were taken using ship-borne instruments, gliders and drifters. Additional information can be found in the cruise plan, cruise report and datasets (here, here and here).
Project results were presented in 30+ conference presentations and contribute to 15+ scientific papers (published / in preparation and collaborations). The project also included several outreach and educational activities, such as “Boya al agua!”, which engaged more than 600 students.
FaSt-SWOT demonstrated that data from the SWOT satellite enhance the study of ocean currents and enable more accurate measurements of sea level — providing key tools for advancing our understanding of the oceans and the effects of climate change.
The FaSt-SWOT project has now come to an end, but SWOT data analyses will continue within the newly founded DEE-SWOT project, a three-year initiative funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. DEE-SWOT will study the Dynamics at mesoscale and submesoscale and their impacts on Energy transfer and Extreme weather events. Stay tuned!