Surface Drifter Study - Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Abstract
Surface drifters were released in the Beaufort Sea near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska for two years (1979-82). The releases were made under the shorefast ice just prior to summer breakup of the ice and in leads in the pack ice. The drifter recoveries indicate that the winds play a significant role in the surface circulation during the open water season. A significant number of drifters beached 'onshore' of their release sites. 'Preferred' beaching areas are identified from the drifter recoveries. All these results indicate the strong possibility that oil released offshore in the Beaufort Sea will impact the North Alaska Coast.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA126350
Entities
People
- Ivan M. Lissauer
- J. B. Matthews
Organizations
- United States Coast Guard Research & Development Center