DOI

SST spatial variability in the Azores region is investigated using a method of least-square fit of a spatially averaged seasonal curve to monthly mean temperature variability curves at each pixel. The zero-order coefficient of the least-square fit is considered to represent a stationary anomaly field over the Azores region. The anomaly field reflects that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) forms a barrier for heat exchange between the western and the eastern subtropical North Atlantic basins. Two SST frontal interfaces are identified to the east of MAR: the North Azores Flow (NAzF), which crosses MAR at 42-43°N, and the northern border of the Azores current. Several regions with significantly cooler surface waters are identified on stationary SST anomaly field. The temperature difference inside and outside of the cold-water pools sometimes exceeds 0.5°C. The most prominent pools are observed at the eastern flank of the MAR, between the Central and Eastern groups of the Azores islands and at a seamount chain south of the Azores. Those cooler water pools can be related to bottom-trapped advection, intensification of cyclones over bottom rises or enhanced tidal mixing near abrupt bottom topography.

Original languageEnglish
Article number17
Pages (from-to)148-155
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume5569
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2004
EventRemote Sensing of the Ocean and Sea Ice 2004 - Maspalomas, Spain
Duration: 13 Sep 200414 Sep 2004

    Research areas

  • Azores, Sea surface temperature anomalies

    Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

ID: 39892600