Ocean eddy detection in the Andaman Sea during April 2008

Abstract

Eddies have an important role in momentum transport, water mass, heat, and marine biogeochemical cycles. So far the information regarding eddies in the Andaman Sea is still little known. By using National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) / National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) wind data, Sea Surface Height (SSH), and geostrophic currents obtained from altimeter data, this paper aimed to detect eddies during April (intermonsoon). Eddies were formed by current turbulence, gradient pressure variations, and the influence of sea surface wind. Observations showed that the SSH variations was supported by the west wind from the Andaman Sea. Spatial SSH differences caused the dynamics of geostrophic currents and eddies. During April 2008, we found six eddies scattered around the Andaman Sea, where there were four eddies cyclones and two eddies anticyclones.