Measurements of Ocean Currents Across the Continental Margin Off Pt. Sur, California, During January 1990
Abstract
During the week of 17 to 24 of January, 1990, the R/V Pt. Sur conducted a hydrographic and current survey in the vicinity of Point Sur, California. The ship collected data along a transection across the continental margin which began 2.5 km offshore and extended along parallel 36 deg 20 min N. At 123 deg W, the transection turned towards the southwest and extended out to a point some 220 km offshore. Data were collected using CTD, PEGASUS (acoustic dropsonde), and ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) instruments. The primary focus of this paper is the poleward flowing Davidson Inshore Current which transports warm (13.5 C) and saline (33.4 psu) water northward. The current was located 20-120 km offshore of Pt. Sur, with a maximum surface velocity of 34 cm/s located 20-40 km offshore. Alongshore transport was calculated to be 8.3 Sv. The data also covered the eastern edge of the equatorward flowing California Current between 120 and 180 km offshore. In addition, a warm-core anticyclonic eddy was located beyond 180 km from shore which was confirmed by an AVHRR image from the NOAA 11 satellite. Geophysical data included temperature, Salinity, density anomalies and depth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA246313
Entities
People
- Keith A. Buckley
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School