Oceanographic aspects of the Emperor Seamounts region
Effects of the Emperor Seamount Chain on the thermohaline structure and baroclinic flow are investigated on the basis of historical hydrographic data. The amplitudes of dynamic height perturbations are 3 to 5 times larger west than east of the chain. The intensity of the thermal fronts is stronger west than east of the seamounts; near the crest of the southern seamounts, strong east-west thermohaline fronts and a strong northward baroclinic flow are observed. The Kuroshio Extension west of the seamount chain is a well-defined meandering current, the axis of which generally lies between 33/sup 0/ and 36/sup 0/N. The available data indicate that the Kuroshio Extension turns northward and then flows eastward through the gaps of the seamount chain. East of the seamounts, the Kuroshio Extension widens threefold and appears to be poorly defined.
- Research Organization:
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
- OSTI ID:
- 6619606
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 87:C12
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Paleomagnetic test of the Emperor fracture zone hypothesis
A Cyclonic Eddy in the Antarctic circumpolar current south of Australia: Results of Soviet--American observations aboard the r/v Professor Zubov