The spatial and temporal variation of sound speed in the California current system off Monterey, California
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Authors
Hughes, John George
Subjects
sound speed variability
sound velocity
oceanic fronts
California current system
mesoscale ocean structure
oceanic variability
sound speed
sound velocity
oceanic fronts
California current system
mesoscale ocean structure
oceanic variability
sound speed
Advisors
Wickham, J.
Date of Issue
1975-12
Date
December 1975
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
The horizontal sound speed in an area of complex oceanographic
structure was described using cross sections obtained
from six nonconsecutive monthly lines of STD observations at
a 5.5 km sampling interval off Monterey, California.
The sound speed field for each section was determined
and visually analyzed. Cross-correlation functions of
vertical sound speed gradients averaged over 2 m and 10 m
increments were computed between stations. Cross-correlation
coefficients between stations were computed for detrended
sound speed profiles sampled at 2 m depth increments.
Sound speed was an excellent descriptor of water mass
features. On depth scales greater than 10 m, well defined
sound speed field features showed horizontal extents of less
than 11 km in some cases. On vertical scales of 2 to 10 m
horizontal extents of less than 11 km were also evident.
Sound speed profiles showing similarities on the scale of 2
to 10 m tended to occur at 27.5 to 38.5 km intervals.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.