(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1979-02)
Schmitz, William J.; Hogg, Nelson G.
Relatively energetic low frequency fluctuations in horizontal currents are found to exist below
the thermocline in the northern trough of the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone. For example,
deep eddy kinetic energy levels there are about twice as large as those observed at similar relative
depths in the MODE-I region. Eddy kinetic energies are about 2-10 times larger than mean
kinetic energies. The vertical distribution of eddy kinetic energy is frequency dependent, increasing
toward the thermocline for the longer time scales and intensifying toward the bottom
at higher frequencies. In addition to the expected mean westward motion of Norwegian Sea
Overflow Water through the northern trough of the fracture, rather consistent mean southward
flow is observed at a depth immediately above the overflow.
