High frequency subsurface Lagrangian measurements in the California Current with RAFOS floats

Abstract

This study presents float observations from four RAFOS floats that were deployed off central California for a twenty-three day period as part of a Tomography Demonstration Experiment. These floats, which sampled hourly, were used to investigate float characteristics and the navigational accuracy of current processing techniques. An ordinary mean least square method is proposed to mathematically estimate values for random and systematic errors, producing navigational trajectories which compliment previous methods when determining the most probable solution of the float trajectory. Potential sources of error in the navigational solution are examined, as well as the importance of float/ source geometry on position accuracy. It was determined that these floats supported previous studies of the California Current System, and proposes that the California Undercurrent may in fact be wider and deeper that previously suspected. (AN)