An oceanographic investigation of thermal changes in Monterey Bay, California, September 1971 - January 1972

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Authors
McClelland, Joseph James, Jr.
Subjects
Monterey Bay
Upwelling
Oceanic period
Davidson Current
Geostrophic currents
Advisors
Leipper, Dale F.
Date of Issue
1972-03
Date
March 1972
Publisher
Language
en_US
Abstract
Nine oceanographic stations in Monterey Bay were occupied on at least weekly intervals from 21 September 1971 through 28 January 1972. During this period the three oceanic seasons described by previous investigators were observed. Measured thermal conditions were compared to previously derived long­ term mean values. The magnitude of the short-period thermal fluctuations was comparable to that noted in earlier investigations. The changes in seasonal thermal structure were greater and more rapid than climatology implied. Unusually weak upwelling in August 1971 was followed in October by stronger than normal upwelling. This resulted in an interruption in the Oceanic Period and delayed the start of the Davidson Current regime in the bay. The network of regularly occupied stations was more extensive than had been previously possible. Quasi-synoptic observations between two offshore stations indicated north­ south geostrophic current velocity components on the order of 2 to 14 cm/sec.
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.
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