Variation in thermal structure and geostrophic current between Alaska and Hawaii determined from synoptic space sections
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Authors
Gowans, George Keith
Subjects
Synoptic sections
158º longitude
AXBT
Thermal structure
Geostrophic surface velocity
Gaussian thermocline
T-S gradient method
Taylor column
PARKA
Hawaii to Alaska
158º longitude
AXBT
Thermal structure
Geostrophic surface velocity
Gaussian thermocline
T-S gradient method
Taylor column
PARKA
Hawaii to Alaska
Advisors
Boston, Noël
Date of Issue
1969-10
Date
October 1969
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Five synoptic space sections along 158°W longitude between Hawaii and the Aleutian Is lands were developed from data collected by air borne expendable bathythermographs during experiment PARKA, a research project sponsored by the U. S. Navy in 1968. The sections are examined for spacial and
temporal variation in thermal structure and geostrophic surface velocity. Two recently developed analysis techniques are employed. Denner's T-S gradient method, wherein thermal and haline contributions to total geostrophic velocity are distinguishable, expedites
calculations and results in velocity fields comparable to those developed by the dynamic method. Thermocline parameters are developed using Boston's objective definition of the thermocline , a statistical curve-fitting technique which develops the notion of a Gaussian thermocline.
Gross features of thermal structure remain fairly consistent during the heating season; however,
thermal fronts are observed to vary in time and space. The distribution of isothermal lines with
latitude suggests the possibility of a Taylor-column effect slightly north of Hawaii.
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.