A Description of the General Circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean Based on Mass Transport Values Derived from IGY (1957-1958) Temperature and Salinity Data.

• Main Author: Cummings,Walter James
• Other Authors: NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CALIF
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1977
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *OCEAN CURRENTS; *NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN; HEAT TRANSFER; THESES; TRANSPORT PROPERTIES; OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA; MASS TRANSFER; TROPICAL REGIONS; SALINITY; HEAT FLUX; SEA WATER; OCEAN MODELS; CIRCULATION; GULF STREAM; TEMPERATE REGIONS; LATITUDE; *Ocean circulation; Geostrophic flow; Level of no motion; International geophysical year; PE61153N; WUNR0832759; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA039154; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA039154

Using results from geostrophic current calculations made along latitude sections sampled during the International Geophysical Year, the circulation above and below the level of no motion is evaluated quantitatively for the region between 8 deg N and 40 deg N in the Atlantic Ocean. The geostrophic current calculations have been based on a reference level of no motion established by a requirement of mass and salt flux continuity across each of six latitude section at 8 deg intervals. Current calculations extend to near bottom across each section. There is considerable evidence that a geostrophically-calculated description of the North Atlantic general circulation, based on a level of no motion that lies near 1100m, compares favorably to past transport estimates, past descriptions of the general circulation, and direct current measurements while having the singular advantage of maintaining the necessary continuity of total mass transport in the ocean.