Zenk, Walter (2000) Direct observations of the Iceland Basin cyclone at mid depths. [Paper] In: ICES Annual Science Conference 2000. , 27.-30.09.2000, Brügge, Belgium . ICES Council Meeting Papers, 2000 (L:18).

Preview

Text 275994.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0. Download (274kB) | Preview

Abstract

In 1997 the Institut für Meereskunde started its RAFOS float program in the eastern North Atlantic. So far, a total of 47 isobaric floats were launched during three cruises at a nominal depth of 1500 m east of Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone and in the central Iceland Basin. While 16 floats are still on mission the surfaced ones delivered 26 eddy-resolving trajectories. They allow a unique insight into the circulation pattern of the Labrador Sea Water invading the eastern basins. Pathways split into three
branches east of the Middle Atlantic Ridge – one parallels the Ridge southwards, a second spreads zonally towards Porcupine Bank, the third fills the eastern side of the Iceland Basin. In fact, a series of stagnation phases and eddy rotations were recorded on the pathways along the western flanks of Hutton Bank. They are superimposed on a northeastward drift. At the tip of the Basin, floats experience a pronounced acceleration by incoming Iceland Scotland Overflow Water from the Faroe Bank Channel. In the course of the basin-wide cyclone the floats are swiftly advected along the Reykjanes Ridge. Finally, the depth keeping floats are detrained from the deepening Overflow core before the latter reaches Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone. We expect the pertinent helical circulation and its fluctuations to effect directly transformation rates of all engaged watermasses.

Actions (login required)

View Item