Flushing of the continental shelf south of Cape Hatteras by the Gulf Stream

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL005i006p00495· OSTI ID:5438128

Blanton, J O ^[1]; Pietrafesa, L J

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1. Skidaway Inst. of Oceanography, Savannah GA

Onslow Bay, an embayment south of Cape Hatteras in the South Atlantic Bight, responds to discrete southwestward and northeastward wind stress events. Occasionally, dramatic onshore-offshore flow cycles occur that appear tirggered by a large-scale disturbance probably originating in the Gulf Stream. Winds and offshore disturbances drive a well-defined circulation pattern from which it is estimated that Onslow Bay is flushed every 2 months. This agrees quite well with a freshwater removal rate of about 2.7 months and a Gulf Stream entrainment removal rate of 3 months.

• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-09-0902
• OSTI ID: 5438128
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COASTAL WATERS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CURRENTS
FLOW MODELS
FLOW RATE
GULF STREAM
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TIME DEPENDENCE
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER CURRENTS
WATER WAVES
WIND