Autonomous Underwater Gliders with Doppler Current Profilers for Studies of Monsoon-Driven Circulation
Abstract
Circulation in the Indian Ocean is strongly influenced by the seasonally-reversing monsoon winds. The dynamics of this circulation,"" particularly of the flow reversal, are not well understood, in part due to a lack of observations. We propose to purchase and instr"ument two new autonomous underwater gliders that will be used to study monsoon-driven circulation in the Equatorial Indian Ocean. Spray gliders are capable of collecting high-resolution observations of the upper kilometer of the ocean during missions lasting over" 100 days and covering over 2500 km through the water. When equipped with small Doppler current profilers, Spray gliders are uniquel"y capable of returning profiles of absolute horizontal currents in the upper kilometer of the ocean. Direct measurements of absolute current profiles are necessary to understand circulation near the Equator where geostrophic estimatesare not possible due to vanishing of the Coriolis parameter. The gliders and associated instruments purchased here will be integral to ongoing and future observational programs in the Indian Ocean. This abstract is approved for publicrelease; distribution is unlimited.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712879
Entities
People
- Robert E. Todd
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution