INERTIAL CURRENTS

Inertial Oscillations (IOs) are examined.  Results indicate strong IO response to wind events during summer.  In spite of winter wind events that are equivalent in magnitude and more numerous than those in summer, the winter IO response is very weak.  During summer, the currents within the mixed layer and below the mixed layer are of comparable amplitude and in opposite directions.  The depth at which the currents reverse directions varies through the year as the mixed layer deepens from about 40 m during summer to the bottom of the water column in November.  During winter, the vertical velocity structure is more uniform with currents in the same direction throughout the water column.  One possible explanation for these phenomena is the combination of the strait boundaries and the strong summer stratification.  The stratification prevents the wind stress momentum flux from mixing downward below the thermocline and thus allows the development of a bottom current separate from the surface current.  Such a velocity structure is necessary to satisfy the no flow condition through the land boundaries.  Thus, the stratification aids in developing the oppositely directed currents in the surface and below the mixed layer. The uniform winter stratification does not allow such a vertical velocity structure to develop as easily.  The wind stress momentum flux is able to mix vertically downward to the bottom, and land boundaries prevent vertically uniform inertial oscillations.


Mooring Locations

Rotary Spectra

Extended EOF Analysis - Mode 1

Extended EOF Analysis - Mode 2

Wind Stress

Wind Stress Curl

Mean Temperatures

Negative Rotary Spectra (3-Day Window)

Positive Rotary Spectra (3-Day Window)

Amplitude Spectra (20 Day Window)

Amplitude Spectra (3 Day Window)

Negative Rotary Spectra (20-Day Window)