Shelfbreak Frontal Dynamics in the Middle Atlantic Bight: Analysis of the SeaSoar Data from the ONR Shelfbreak PRIMER Experiment

• Main Author: Gawarkiewicz, Glen
• Other Authors: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION MA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *HIGH RESOLUTION; *HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING; *EDDY CURRENTS; *FRONTS(OCEANOGRAPHY); SHEAR PROPERTIES; VELOCITY; STABILITY; HIGH VELOCITY; CONTINENTAL SHELVES; VERTICAL ORIENTATION; HORIZONTAL ORIENTATION; NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN; *SHELFBREAKS; *SEASOAR DATA; ACOUSTIC PROPAGATION ACROSS THE FRONT; DRIFTER TRACKS; HIGH RESOLUTION HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS; MIDDLE ATLANTIC BIGHT; PRIMER DATA SETS; SHELFBREAK FRONTAL DYNAMICS; SHELFBREAK PROCESSES; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA394000; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA394000

Analysis of the Shelfbreak PRIMER data sets are described. These data sets, consisting of primarily high-resolution hydrographic surveys, show important shelfbreak processes including interaction of a slope eddy with the front, large-amplitude frontal meandering, and frontal response to wind forcing. In addition, collaborative work with acousticians on acoustic propagation across the front is also described. In general, the front is shown to contain large horizontal and vertical velocity shears, leading to large day-to-day variability. In addition to analysis of these data sets, analysis of drifter tracks near the front have also shown new perspectives on exchange across the front, and a stability analysis of the front was also performed. --Original contains color plates: All DTIC reproductions will be in black and white.