Large Scale Sea Surface Topography Response to Wind Forcing in the GINSEA Using GEOSAT Altimetry

Abstract

Cross-over point difference data from the 16 month Pre-ERM GEOSAT mission were analyzed together with basin scale wind stress from the same period. Using complex empirical orthogonal functions (CEOF), the synthesized data set showed coherent patterns of variations indicating the locations of major currents and their comcomittant wind forcing. Applied to the northwestern Indian Ocean, the well-known Somali Current and Great Whirl system were clearly evident, giving validity to the analysis method. Applied to the GINSEA/ North Atlantic, the Irminger Current and North Atlantic inflow were evident, Increasing in strength with northward wind stress forcing. The Iceland/ Faeroes Front was not apparent, however.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA233078

Entities

People

  • Donald R. Johnson

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Altimetry
  • Availability
  • Classification
  • Data Sets
  • Indian Ocean
  • Information Operations
  • Monitoring
  • Oceans
  • Security
  • Stresses
  • Topography
  • Wind Stress

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Oceanography.