CIRCULATION NEAR THE WASHINGTON COAST
Abstract
The dynamic topography and the Geomagnetic-Electro-Kinetograph (GEK) determinations of current circulation off the coasts of Vancouver Island, Washington, and Oregon are described. The data were obtained in the spring and summer of 1952 and 1953 during 7 cruises of the research vessel M. V. Brown Bear between latitudes 44 deg and 51 deg N and 600 mi seaward. Salinity and temperature curves obtained between April and July in 1953 indicated an up-welling of cold water near the coast during spring and summer, interrupted near the mouth of the Columbia River by the blanketing effect of the less saline water. Study of the Columbia River outflow showed a plume of water delineated by a salinity contour line extending 200 mi to sea. Topographies consistently showed a weak northeasterly circulation at 5 cm/sec, part of which was deflected southward off Vancouver Island. Harmonic analysis of the north and east components of current velocity measured with the GEK revealed semidiurnal constituents ranging in amplitude from 7 to 11 cm/sec and inertial constituents ranging from 9 to 22.5 cm/sec. Current determinations by GEK and by dynamic topographies indicated that the former represents short-term surface current while the latter represents long-term integrated effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1954
- Accession Number
- AD0023505
Entities
People
- Clifford A. Barnes
- Robert G. Paquette
Organizations
- University of Washington