High-Resolution Observations in the Gulf Stream using Autonomous Underwater Gliders

Abstract

Two additional Spray glider missions in the Gulf Stream will be conducted. One mission will occur in summer~fall 2016 and the second will take place in 2017. Gliders will be deployed offshore of Miami, FL, commanded to steer across the Gulf Stream as they are advected downstream, and ultimately recovered on the ontinental shelf south of Cape Cod after missions lasting about 100 days. Based on the deployments during the pilot program, we expect each mission to return observations from at least ten cross-Gulf Stream transects, of which 6~8 will be upstream of Cape Hatteras and the remainder downstream of the separation point. These transects will be compared with similar transects from the Kuroshio.Two high-resolution surveys of the Gulf Stream along the U.S. East Coast will be completed using Spray autonomous underwater gliders deployed from Miami, FL and piloted back and forth across the Gulf Stream as they are advected down stream. Each glider mission will return approximately 10 cross-Gulf Stream transects of temperature, salinity, absolute velocity, chlorophyll fluorescence, and acoustic backscatter. Observations from these glider missions will be combined with similar observations collected over the past year for analysis. Analysis will focus on identifying and characterizing both large-amplitude internal waves and thick bottom mixed layers that are frequently observed upstream of Cape Hatteras as the Gulf Stream flows over bathymetric features.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 04, 2017
Source ID
N000141713040

Entities

People

  • Robert E. Todd

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Tags

Readers

  • Oceanography.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy