Compact, intrathermocline eddies in the Sargasso Sea

Journal Article · Wed Jan 20 00:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC087iC01p00385· OSTI ID:5453928

Dugan, J P; Mied, R P; Mignerey, P C; Schuetz, A F

We report observations of isolated lenses of constant-temperature water embedded in the permanent thermocline in the Sargasso Sea. These features are observed to have vertical extents of < or approx. =220 m horizontal dimensions of < or approx. =65 km, and residence depths near 700 m. A dynamic model is constructed which permits balance among the pressure gradient. Coriolis, and cyclostrophic forces and maintains the lens against gravitational collapse. A results that anticyclonic rim velocities approaches 20 cm s/sup -1/ are permitted and that these eddies have finite radii of the order of 50 km, at which their thicknesses fall to zero.

• Research Organization: Enviromental Sciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375
• OSTI ID: 5453928
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 87:C1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
SARGASSO SEA
WATER CURRENTS
CORIOLIS FORCE
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
TURBULENT FLOW
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CURRENTS
FLUID FLOW
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
580500* - Oceanography- (1980-1989)