Satellite images of warm core ring 82-B sea surface temperature and a chronological record of major physical events affecting ring structure

Abstract

A chronology constructed from satellite-derived thermal imagery is presented to describe the formation and life history of warm-core ring 82-B. A comparison is made with warm-core ring 81-F in order to illustrate similarities that may be common to warm-core rings that traverse the region of the Slope Water occupied by 82-B. Particular attention is paid to discrete events identified from analysis of changes in the surface thermal field. Significant events include interactions between the ring and the Gulf Stream, warm (Gulf Stream) and cold (shelf) streamers and interaction with other vortices. The events are documented by following changes in ring size, shape, translation, and surface thermal structure. Observations determined from the infrared satellite imagery are supported by hydrography, acoustic velocity profiling and drifter trajectories.