Oceanographic Observations, North Atlantic Ocean Station CHARLIE. Terminal Report 1964-1973

• Main Author: Hannon,Lawrence J
• Other Authors: COAST GUARD WASHINGTON DC OCEANOGRAPHIC UNIT
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1979
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *Sea water; Temperature; Cooling; Oceanographic data; Surface temperature; Periodic variations; Ocean surface; North Atlantic Ocean; Deep water; Surface waters; Stations; Ocean Station CHARLIE; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA112294; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA112294

Temperature variations are considered for Ocean Station CHARLIE (52 deg 45 min N, 35 deg 30 min W) using oceanographic data from 1964 to 1973, and sea surface temperatures from weather observations from 1948 to 1973. The oceanographic data appear to indicate a substantial non-seasonal cooling of the water column down to below 500 meters, beginning in 1971. In 1972 and 1973 all months are considerably cooler than any of the months for the years previous to 1971. Consideration of the annual means of the sea surface temperature from 1948 to 1973 showed that the 1971 to 1973 cooling period was not at all unique, but part of a cycle that could be traced back over at least two periods. Substantial temperature minimums are evident in the fifties, sixties, and seventies. There appears to be a 11 to 12 year periodicity to the cycles. (Author)