Surface-referenced current meter measurements
Citable URI
https://hdl.handle.net/1912/1731Location
38°38.93'N, 123°29.38'W38°38.83'N, 123°29.27'W
DOI
10.1575/1912/1731Keyword
Surface waves; Ocean currentsAbstract
A general discussion of possible techniques for observation of near-surface currents indicates
that the surface-following frame of reference will provide several advantages over the
Eulerian or Lagrangian frames. One problem with surface-following measurements is the
biasing effects of the waves. A technique for making unbiased measurements is developed.
This technique requires that both the sensor velocity and the fluid velocity be measured.
A sensor platform, the Surface Acoustic Shear Sensor (SASS), which makes the required
measurements is described.
The processing scheme for interpreting the measurements from the SASS is described at
length. The data that SASS has obtained from two deployments in the Shelf Mixed Layer
Experiment (SMILE) is presented. This data shows clearly that the biasing effects of waves
can not, in general, be ignored. In the summary of the data we find surprisingly little shear
in the downwind direction in the top 4m of the water column. In the crosswind direction
observed, observed shear seems to be indicative of an across shelf pressure gradient and
intense near-surface mixing.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution September 1991
Suggested Citation
Thesis: Santala, Markku J., "Surface-referenced current meter measurements", 1991-09, DOI:10.1575/1912/1731, https://hdl.handle.net/1912/1731Related items
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