Annual westward propagating anomalies near 26 degrees N and eddy generation south of the Canary Islands: remote sensing (altimeter/SeaWIFS) and in situ measurement

Pingree, RD and Garcia-Soto, C 2004 Annual westward propagating anomalies near 26 degrees N and eddy generation south of the Canary Islands: remote sensing (altimeter/SeaWIFS) and in situ measurement. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 84 (6). 1105-1115. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315404010549h

PDF JMBA84(6).pdf Download (1MB)

Abstract/Summary

Seasonal changes in altimeter data are derived for the North Atlantic Ocean. Altimeter data are then used to examine annually propagating structure along 26 degree N. By averaging the altimeter data into monthly values or by Fourier analysis, a positive anomaly can be followed from 17 degree W to similar to 50 degree W along similar to 26 degree N. The methods give a westward travel speed of 1 degree of longitude a month and a half-life of one year for the average decaying structure. At similar to 50 degree W 26 degree N, the average structure is about 2.8 years old with an elevation signal of similar to 1 cm, having gravelled similar to 3300 km westward. The mean positive anomaly results from the formation of anticyclonic eddies which are generally formed annually south of the Canary Islands by late summer and which then travel westward near 26 degree N. Individual eddy structure along 26 degree N is examined and related to in situ measurements and anomalies in the annual seasonal concentration cycle of SeaWiFS chlorophyll-a.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Altimeters Wave propagation Current rings Oceanic eddies Atlantic Canary Isles.
Subjects:	Oceanography
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date made live:	29 Sep 2006
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 09:56
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1729

Actions (login required)

View Item