Lagrangian Current Measurements within the Eastern Margin of a Warm-Core Gulf Stream Ring

Abstract

U.S. Naval Underwat. Syst. Cent., Newport, RI 02840, USA J (Journal-Article) M (Marine) Two satellite-tracked buoys drogued at 10 m depth were deployed within shelf water, close to the shelf/slope front in late summer 1980. Position and sea-surface temperature data from the two buoys were combined with surface-water mass analysis based on high resolution infrared satellite imagery. Buoy trajectories and surface-water mass analysis suggest that both buoys traversed a region of shelf water while moving to the southwest at less than 25 cm s super(-1). Stronger currents up to 54 cm s super(-1) from warm-core ring 80-A were encountered near 38 degree N latitude. These currents caused the buoys to move anticyclonically along the ring's eastern margin within a well defined shelf-water entrainment. Buoy sea-surface temperatures and positions showed good correlation with frontal boundaries based on satellite imagery. This shown for both the r...