Study of Currents along the Point Sur Transect
Abstract
Ocean currents and density were measured off Point Sur, California in February 1989 using Pegasus (an acoustically tracked velocity profiler), ADCP (a ship-mounted acoustic doppler current profiler), and CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth profiler). Absolute velocities are compared with geostrophy and various flow regimes are analyzed with respect to prominent features and historical and other recent data. Geostrophic cross-sections based on various levels of no motion (LNM) are compared. Temperature, salinity, and density fields are examined and correlated to velocity features. The California Current is a weak southeastward flow starting about 60 kilometers from the coast. The Davidson Inshore Current is a strong surface-intensified core of warm, fresh water centered 30 kilometers offshore, and located in the top 100 meters. A subsurface maximum of westward flow exists in a well-defined jet 100 meters deep about 30 kilometers off Point Sur. There is a trench jet located along the bottom between the continental slope and a seamount 33 kilometers from the coast, which could either be topographically steered out of Monterey Canyon or recirculated from further offshore. Word processing, Script, GML, Text processing, Ocean currents, California, Davidson inshore current, Geostrophic currents, Thesis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA220035
Entities
People
- Paul Berryman
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School