Gründlingh, Marten L. (1981) On the observation of a solitary event in the Mediterranean Outflow west of Gibraltar. Meteor Forschungsergebnisse: Reihe A/B, Allgemeines, Physik und Chemie des Meeres, Maritime Meteorologie, 23 . pp. 15-46.

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Abstract

During the 1971 "Meteor" survey of the Mediterranean Outflow, seven current meter moorings were deployed and several hydrographic stations executed. The time series data from almost all the current meters revealed a solitary increase in temperature with an amplitude of ≃ 1 °C and a duration of 2-4 days. The present analysis of the event shows that it was due to a thickening of the Mediterranean Outflow and an increase in the volume transport. The origin of the event is traced to the source of the Outflow from where it propagated with a speed of 16 cm s-1. Coinciding with the time at which the event passed the Strait of Gibraltar, the cross channel water level difference revealed an anomalous variation of about 8-cm amplitude and 3-day duration. Through conversion the magnitude of this fluctuation is now shown to simply a significant increase in the Outflow volume transport. An investigation of the reigning meteorological conditions indicates that, simultaneously, an impulse of water in the Alboran Sea was transported westwards by the wind. Through a qualitative and quantitative approach, the atmospheric forcing of the Western Mediterranean is thus linked to a large variation in the Outflow structure.

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