We assess the accuracy and spatial resolution of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) swath altimeter for measuring marine gravity anomalies. The analysis is performed at the Foundation Seamounts in the South Pacific where we developed a highly accurate gravity field by combining the long-wavelength (> 40 km) gravity field derived from previous nadir altimeters with the shorter wavelength gravity field from the seafloor topography as constrained by the ship gravity. In this region, the slope of the ocean variability is 50-100 times smaller than the gravity/slope signal of the seamounts so can be ignored in the analysis. Each SWOT cycle can deliver gravity anomaly/SSS with an accuracy of 2.6 mGal/μrad and a spatial resolution of 14 km, with accuracy diminishing when significant wave height (SWH) exceeds ~6 meters. Averaging repeated SWOT measurements improves the accuracy and resolution. For example, we expect that averaging just 10 repeats (7 months) results in accuracy/resolution that matches the best marine gravity maps based on 230 months of nadir altimetry. With a mission lasting over a year, SWOT promises a substantial leap in marine gravity accuracy and resolution, uncovering previously uncharted details of the seafloor, including thousands of uncharted seamounts.

Two moorings deployed for 75 days in 2019 and long-term satellite altimetry data reveal a spatially complex and temporally variable internal tidal field at the SWOT Cal/Val site off central California due to the interference of multiple seasonally-variable sources. Coherent tides account for $\sim$45\% of the potential energy. The south mooring exhibits more energetic semidiurnal tides, while the north mooring displays stronger mode-1 M$_2$ with an amplitude of $\sim$5.1 mm. These findings from in situ observations align with the analysis of 27-year altimetry data. The altimetry results indicate that the complex internal tidal field is attributed to multiple sources. Mode-1 tides primarily originate from the Mendocino Ridge and the 36.5\textendash37.5$^\circ$N California continental slope, while mode-2 tides are generated by local seamounts and Monterey Bay. The generation and propagation of these tides are influenced by mesoscale eddies and seasonal stratification. Seasonality is evident for mode-1 waves from three directions. Southward components from the Mendocino Ridge consistently play a dominant role ($\sim$268 MW) yearlong. We observed the strongest eastward waves during the fall and spring seasons, generated remotely from the Hawaiian Ridge. Westward waves from the 36.5\textendash37.5$^\circ$N California continental slope are weakest during summer, while those from the Southern California Bight are weakest during spring. The highest variability of energy flux is found in the westward waves ($\pm 22\%$), while the lowest is in the southward waves ($\pm 13\%$). These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating the seasonality and spatial variability of internal tides for the SWOT internal tidal correction.