Tidal currents and anticyclonic motions on two North Pacific seamounts

Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Near-bottom currents were measured for several days at three sites on the summits of Fieberling Guyot (32°26′N, 127°46′W) and Horizon Guyot (19°15′N, 160°00′W). Three moorings comprised of two current meters were deployed on each summit; two moorings were deployed on opposite sides of the rim of the summit and one mooring was deployed near the center of the summit. The observed currents were strong, with maximum speeds of 48 and 24 cm s−1 on Fieberling and Horizon, respectively. The currents at specific frequencies were enhanced relative to those in the surrounding ocean. Diurnal currents were the dominant component of the current field on Fieberling Guyot. They accounted for 39–68% of the energy and had amplitudes around 12 cm s−1. We suspect that these diurnal currents were waves trapped over the seamount. Semidiurnal internal tidal currents were the strongest currents over Horizon Guyot, with amplitudes around 4 cm s−1. The flow patterns determined in this study seemed to affect the biological and geological characteristics of the seamounts.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Tidal currents and anticyclonic motions on two North Pacific seamounts
Series title Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers
DOI 10.1016/0198-0149(89)90113-1
Volume 36
Issue 12
Year Published 1989
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 13 p.
First page 1803
Last page 1815
Other Geospatial Fieberling Guyot, Horizon Guyot, Pacific Ocean
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details