Atlas of Deep Current Observations for Central California

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA514340 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Deep 1000 m currents were observed off California from August 1994 to September 2009 using current meters and RAFOS floats. Current meter data were collected at nine locations for time periods ranging from two months to 76 months. A total of 144 months of float data were collected. Analysis of current meter data included histograms, progressive vector diagrams, stick plots, kinetic energy and rotary spectra, stick plots, means and standard deviations. Float data were analyzed using trajectories and calculating means, standard deviations, and diffusivities. For current meter data, semidiurnal tidal energy dominated the kinetic energy spectrum, anticyclonic rotary motion exceeded cyclonic motion, kinetic energy was typically an order of magnitude greater than for diurnal frequencies, and kinetic energy decreased about an order of magnitude as depth increased by 1000 m. Mean speed for current meter float data was 6.1 4.0 cms and alongshore variability exceeded across shore variability. Two floats were entrained in mesoscale eddies, one cyclonic and the other anticyclonic the eddies moved westward at a speed of about one cms. Seasonal variability along the continental slope was marked by late summer or early fall warming eddy kinetic energy was minimum in February, 3 cubic centimeters per second squared.

Author(s):
Zamora, Ulysses D.
Author Organization(s):
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA DEPT OF OCEANOGRAPHY
Descriptive Note:
Master's thesis
Supplementary Note:
The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0293

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
NPS-OC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_6.3.3_Spectrum Management; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.3_Net Management; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_8_Building Partnerships
Modernization Areas:
Space; Microelectronics
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*CALIFORNIA, *OCEAN TIDES, *EDDY CURRENTS, *DEEP WATER, *SEASONAL VARIATIONS, *OCEAN CURRENTS, EDDIES(FLUID MECHANICS), VELOCITY, VARIATIONS, CONTINENTAL SLOPES, SPECTRA, DEEP OCEANS, HEATING, KINETIC ENERGY, VECTOR ANALYSIS, ANTICYCLONES, MEAN, ROTATION, TRAJECTORIES, CYCLONES, STANDARD DEVIATION, SHORES, FLOWMETERS, CURRENTS, SUMMER, DIURNAL VARIATIONS, THESES, MOTION, DIAGRAMS, TIME INTERVALS, FREQUENCY, FLOATS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Physical and Dynamic Oceanography, Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods, Fluid Mechanics, Ecology, Marine Engineering
Keyword(s):
*RAFOS FLOATS, *MESOSCALE, *CALIFORNIA CURRENT, CURRENT METERS(OCEANOGRAPHY), PROGRESSIVGE VECTOR DIAGRAMS, STICK PLOTS, KINETIC ENERGY SPECTRA, ROTARY SPECTRAA
Report Date:
2009 Dec 01
Creation Date:
2010 Mar 03