VARIATION IN THERMAL STRUCTURE AND GEOSTROPHIC CURRENT BETWEEN ALASKA AND HAWAII DETERMINED FROM SYNOPTIC SPACE SECTIONS5
Abstract
Five synoptic space sections along 158W longitude between Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands were developed from data collected by airborne 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 Gaussain 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. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0706077
Entities
People
- George Keith Gowans
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School