Hydrography of the Labrador Sea During Active Convection
Abstract
In winter 1997 a broad-scale hydrographic survey of the Labrador Sea was done during the period of active convection. This was part of the ONR-sponsored Deep Convection Accelerated Research Initiative (ARI) to study the dynamics of convective overturning. We observed convection both in the interior of the Labrador Sea as well as in the western boundary current, which produced two different vintages of water. Data collected later in the spring, by another component of the ARI, suggests that the newly-formed boundary. current water was quickly flushed out of the Labrador Sea. By contrast, the offshore water mass was formed within a recirculating gyre and remained largely trapped within the Labrador Sea. Convection adjacent to boundaries implies net vertical sinking of the water, hence these observations have important ramifications to the meridional overturning circulation of the North Atlantic. Finally, historical data was used to demonstrate that deep convection also occurs in the adjacent Irminger Sea, which alters our view of mid-depth ventilation in the subpolar gyre.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 07, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391080
Entities
People
- Robert Pickart
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution