The fall transition off Central California in 2002

Download
Author
O'Malley, Colleen M.
Date
2003-06Advisor
Collins, Curtis A.
Second Reader
Batteen, Mary L.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
During the fall of 2002 the physical oceanographic conditions off Central California were monitored by means of CTD casts and VMADCP current measurements during two cruises. The first cruise, included 38 stations and one time series station. The second cruise was sponsored by the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANOCEANO) and occupied nine sections along the coast. A total of 86 stations and two time series stations were occupied during the second cruise. CTD calibration and data processing methods are described. The isosteres, current vectors, and salinity distribution from the cruises provide a clear picture of the circulation pattern during the fall 2002. A strong shoreward, anticyclonic meander of the California current was observed. Although the meander itself did not cross the dynamic trough that separated inshore and offshore currents, at the point where the meander was adjacent to the trough, a ridge formed which transported Subarctic waters into the coastal zone. These fresh waters were advected to the north and south along the coast, depending upon the direction of nearshore currents. The observed mesoscale circulation showed the manner in which waters which are upwelled at the coast in summer are replaced by oceanic waters in the fall and winter. Analysis of the geography of the deep sound channel (DSC) during this period showed that the mean pressure of the DSC was at 586 dbar while the mean sound speed minimum was 1480 m/s. The minimum sound speed varied 3 m/s while the pressure of the minimum varied by 330 dbars. The shape of the pycnocline controlled the pressure and depth of the DSC in the region.
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.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The Jan Mayen Current from 1989 and 1990 summer data
Stone, Marla D. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1996-09);As part of the Greenland Sea Project, a hydrographic survey consisting of 45 CTD stations was conducted in the vicinity of the Jan Mayen Current (JMC) in August 1990 aboard the USNS BARTLETT to further characterize and ... -
Subtidal variability in the Northern South China Sea during Spring 2001
Weller, Megan D. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2005-06);The Asian Seas International Acoustics Experiment (ASIAEX) conducted in April and May of 2001 helped researchers take a major step in understanding the circulation of the northern South China Sea. This region crosses one ... -
Vorticity Patterns Offshore of the Venetian Lagoon from HF Radar Observations
Paduan, J.D.; Gacic, M.; Kovacevic, V.; Mosquera, I. Mancero; Mazzoldi, A. (2003);A network of high frequency (HF) radar systems was used to produce maps of surface velocity offshore of the Malamocco inlet during the 12-month period from November 2001 through October 2002. Inspection of the sub-tidal ...