Gulf stream fluctuations and meanders over the Onslow Bay upper continental slope.

Abstract

North North Carolina Univ., U.S.A. The principal fluctuations observed during the 4-month winter experiment are consistent with Webster's description of downstream propagating, skewed, lateral meanders of the Gulf Stream over the upper continental slope, Concurrent satellite images of a sea surface temperature (SST) meander pattern indicate that subsurface temperature, salinity, velocity and relative-vorticity maxima occured as meander crests (shoreward SST-front excursions) passed over the experiment site. The meandering currents were not coherent with nearby wind stress or coastal sea level fluctuations. Eddy-flux estimates indicate energy conversion from the fluctuations to the mean stream. (from authors abstract)