High-resolution structure of the upper Western Boundary Undercurrent core shaping the Eirik Drift


Contact
Gabriele.Uenzelmann-Neben [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

For the first time the method of seismic oceanography was applied to identify fine structure of a water mass in greater depths (> 1500 m) close to the seafloor. The pathway of the upper high-velocity Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC) branch was tracked over the Eirik Drift, 200 km south of Greenland at seafloor depths between ~2200 and 3000 m. It appears as an upward convex structure attached to the slope with a transparent, i.e. well mixed, core surrounded by higher amplitude reflections. These reflect gradients and fine structure. Fine structure is a result of enhanced mixing processes, presumably due to entrainment of surrounding water of less momentum by the intensified deep current core. We show that this new information about structure and pathways of the WBUC could not have been gained by conventional oceanographic measurements alone.



Item Type
Conference (Talk)
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Event Details
2nd Deep Water Contourite Workshop, 10 Sep 2014 - 12 Sep 2014, Ghent, Belgium.
Eprint ID
35800
Cite as
Uenzelmann-Neben, G. and Mueller-Michaelis, A. (2014): High-resolution structure of the upper Western Boundary Undercurrent core shaping the Eirik Drift , 2nd Deep Water Contourite Workshop, Ghent, Belgium, 10 September 2014 - 12 September 2014 .


Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Geographical region

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item