Oceanography of the Grand Banks Region of Newfoundland in 1973.
Abstract
Three Ice Patrol cruises from April to July 1973 were conducted to the Grand Banks to determine sea surface currents for input to a computer model for the prediction of iceberg drift. During a three week period in June-July three Intensive Dynamic Surveys were performed in an approximately 1 degree latitude square within the Ice Patrol survey area to provide data sets to test a developmental numerical model for predicting dynamic changes of the Labrador Current on the eastern slope of the Grand Banks. Analysis of the sea surface geostrophy and the water mass properties revealed that the North Atlantic Current was to be found approximately 74 km farther north than its usual position and by impinging on the Tail-of-the-Bank forced a portion of the Labrador Current up onto the Bank. The May cruise data disclosed the formation of a large cyclonic meander in the North Atlantic Current, which was believed to produce the cyclonic ring found to the south in the warm water gradient of the North Atlantic Current. This may be a mechanism for transporting icebergs across the North Atlantic Current and would account for the occasional sightings of icebergs southeast of the warm current. Near bottom direct current measurements made on the eastern slope of the Grand Banks had mean speeds of 2.0 cm/s in April-May and 5.3 cm/s in May-June, and the direction was mainly southwest. The only identifiable periodic component was the lunar semidiurnal tide which was intermittently detected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA070003
Entities
People
- Richard M. Hayes
- Robert Q. Robe