Mesoscale components of the geostrophic flow and its temporal and spatial variability in the California current off Monterey Bay in 1973-74.

Abstract

The mesoscale components of the geostrophic flow and its temporal and spatial variability are discussed for the oceanic region west of the continental shelf off Monterey Bay. The results were obtained from spatially dense observations on thirteen cruises during the period August 1973 through August 1974. Patterns of current flow indicated by drogues and geostrophy tend to confirm an analysis of the structure which has alternat ing elements of poleward and equatorward flow. Surface current flow patterns are similar to those found at depths to 375 m. The bottom topography influences the direction of flow inside the 1,000 fathom curve. Seasonal variations of the geostrophic flow and salt transport were congruent with Skogsberg's [1936] annual cycle composed of three distinct oceanographic seasons. The flow and structure in the area are complex with flow elements less than 10 km in width. The data suggest that observations on a sampling grid length less than 10 km transverse to the current flow, and extensive independent current measurements are required to describe adequately the smallscale features of the flow, structure and its time variations.