Translational Velocity of Warm Core Rings Relative to the Slope Water

Abstract

Univ. Rhode Island, Grad. Sch. Oceanogr., Narragansett Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882-1197, USA J (Journal-Article) M (Marine) Five warm core rings were examined during short time intervals using thermal infrared satellite imagery. A total of 12 pairs of observations of these rings were made, all east of 72 degree W. The observations concentrated on the translational velocity of the rings and the mean velocity of the surrounding slope water. The observations are in disagreement with previous observations of ring displacements which show a general southerly trend, as well as with most theoretical analyses of eddy propagation which show either westward or southwestward velocities. Previous observational studies, however, examined warm core rings over long periods of time, periods during which the rings invariably interacted with the continental shelf, with the Gulf Stream and/or with other rings ASFA 2: Ocean Technology, Policy and...