Eddy Kinetic Energy Contribution to Total Kinetic Energy in the Global Ocean from 23 Years of Multi-Satellite Altimetry

Ocean mesoscale structures play a central role in the transport of oceanic properties, accounting for a significant fraction of the ocean’s total kinetic energy (KE). Using 23 years of multisatellite altimetric observations, we assess the contribution of eddy kinetic energy (EKE), mean kinetic energy (MKE) and cross terms to the temporal mean and temporal variability of KE. EKE explains approximately 72% of the global mean KE. Regionally, MKE dominates in intense steady flows within the western boundary currents, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the Labrador Current, and the equatorial band, while EKE dominates in 90% of the global ocean. EKE drives KE temporal variability globally, except in regions with large MKE contribution, where cross terms become non-negligible. These findings emphasise the dominant role of EKE in shaping global kinetic energy, while highlighting the importance of MKE and cross terms for the mean state and temporal variability in key climate regions.