Physical oceanography of continental shelves
Knowledge of the physical oceanography of continental shelves has increased tremendously in recent years, primarily as a result of new current and hydrographic measurements made in locations where no comparable measurements existed previously. In general, observations from geographically distinct continental shelves have shown that the nature of the flow may vary considerably from region to region. Although some characteristics, such as the response of currents to wind forcing, are common to many shelves, the relative importance of various physical processes in influencing the shelf flow field frequently is different. In the last several years, the scientific literature on shelf studies has expanded rapidly, with that for separate regions, to some extent, developing independently because of the variable role played by different physical effects. Consequently, it seems that a simultaneous review of progress in physical oceanographic research in different shelf regions would be especially useful at this time in order to help assess the overall progress in the field. This multi-author report has been compiled as a result. Included are sections on the physical oceanography of continental shelves, in or off of, the eastern Bering Sea, northern Gulf of Alaska, Pacific Northwest, southern California, west Florida, southeastern US, Middle Atlantic Bight, Georges Bank and Peru. These discussions clearly point to the diverse nature of the dominant physics in several of the regions, as well as to some of the dynamical features they share in common. 390 references, 23 figures.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS09-80EV10331
- OSTI ID:
- 5191032
- Journal Information:
- Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States), Vol. 21:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Continental shelf processes affecting the oceanography of the South Atlantic Bight. Progress report, June 1, 1979-May 31, 1980
Continental shelf processes affecting the oceanography of the South Atlantic Bight. Progress report
Related Subjects
CONTINENTAL SHELF
OCEANOGRAPHY
REVIEWS
BATHYMETRY
BERING SEA
CALIFORNIA
CLIMATES
DENSITY
EAST COAST
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
GEORGES BANK
GULF OF ALASKA
GULF OF MEXICO
ICE
OREGON
PERU
SALINITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TIDE
WASHINGTON
WATER CURRENTS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CURRENTS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
LATIN AMERICA
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC OCEAN
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEAS
SOUTH AMERICA
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS
580500* - Oceanography- (1980-1989)