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.

Язык оригиналаанглийский
Номер статьи17
Страницы (с-по)148-155
Число страниц8
ЖурналProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Том5569
DOI
СостояниеОпубликовано - 1 дек 2004
СобытиеRemote Sensing of the Ocean and Sea Ice 2004 - Maspalomas, Испания
Продолжительность: 13 сен 200414 сен 2004

    Предметные области Scopus

  • Электроника, оптика и магнитные материалы
  • Физика конденсатов
  • Прикладные компьютерные науки
  • Прикладная математика
  • Электротехника и электроника

ID: 39892600