Measurement of the California Countercurrent
Measurement of the California Countercurrent

Author: Keith Coddington

Publisher:

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13:

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Direct measurements by moored current meters and indirect measurements from geostrophy are compared and discussed for a region over the continental slope off central California during the Davidson Current period. During that same period vertical temperature and salinity profiles were made at 23 stations on four separate cruises in the study area south of Monterey, California. These arrays of moored current meters simultaneously recorded the flow of the current at specified levels. The California Countercurrent was found to be present in the region of study during the entire observation period. Its offshore position and extent, its intensity and its vertical location and extent varied in a way largely consistent with its reported behavior in other locations along the U.S. West Coast. (Author).

Observations of the California Countercurrent
Observations of the California Countercurrent

Author: Robert L. Harrod

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13:

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This thesis describes results from moored current meters, 150-350 m, for a region over the continental slope off Cape San Martin, California, from January 1979 to April 1980. Current vector time series were constructed from the data and compared to a local coastal upwelling index. Progressive vector diagrams were also constructed, and spectrum analysis was performed for alongshore and cross-slope currents. The California Countercurrent was found to be present in the study area during the entire period. Seasonally, the countercurrent was substantially stronger during the spring. Frequent current reversals and oscillations occurred between equatorward and poleward flow, less often at the nearshore station. Preferred low frequency energy peaks were found at periods of about 10 days. The intensity of the countercurrent increased with increasing coastal upwelling index, and the cross-slope flow also appeared to be related to the local coastal upwelling index. Keywords include: California undercurrent; Davidson current; California current; Eastern boundary currents; and metered currents.

Wind Stress and Wind Stress Curl Over the California Current
Wind Stress and Wind Stress Curl Over the California Current

Author: Craig S. Nelson

Publisher:

Published: 1976

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13:

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Historical surface marine observations are summarized by 1-degree square area and long term month to describe the seasonal distribution of wind stress over the California Current. Off the coasts of southern California and Baja California, an alongshore equatorward component is present throughout the year. The distributions north of Cape Mendocino are characterized by marked changes in direction and magnitude between summer and winter. The predominant wind stress maximum shifts northward coherently from off Point Conception in March to south of Cape Blanco in September, and extends approximately 500 km in the offshore direction and 1000 km in the alongshore direction. Maximum values of surface wind stress occur during July near Cape Mendocino. The wind stress curl is positive near the coast and negative in the region offshore.