Recent Observations of the Mean Circulation on Georges Bank

Abstract

A c10ckwise circulation around Georges Bank was measured by means of moored current meters, aircrafttracked surface drifters, and satellite-tracked drifters drogued at 10 m. The strongest How was in a narrow jetlike current (30 cm S-I) along the northern Hank of the bank. The How of shelf water on the southern Hank was westward (10 cm S-I) toward the Middle Atlantic Bight; some of this water Howed northward through the eastern side of Great South Channel and recirculated around Georges Bank. The satellitetracked drifters and the moored observations indicate that the circulation around the bank was not completely closed and considerable variability occurs in the trajectory of an individu al water particIe.