Abstract:
Subduction is the mechanism by which water masses formed in the mixed layer and near the surface of the ocean find their
way into the upper thermocline. The subduction process and its underlying mechanisms were studied though a combination of
Eulerian and Langrangian measurements of velocity, measurements of tracer distributions and hydrographic properties and modeling.
An array of five surface moorings carrying meteorological and oceanographic instrumentation were deployed for a period of
two years beginning in June 1991 as part of an Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded Subduction experiment. Three eight month
deployments were planned. The moorings were deployed at 18°N 34°W, 18°N 22°W, 25.5°N 29°W, 33°N 22°W and 33°N 34°W.
A Vector Averaging Wind Recorder (VAWR) and an Improved Meteorological Recorder (IMET) collected wind speed and
wind direction, sea surface temperature, air temperature, short wave radiation, barometric pressure and relative humidity. The IMET
also measured precipitation. The moorings were heavily instrumented below the surface with Vector Measuring Current Meters
(VMCM) and single point temperature recorders.
Expendable bathythermograph (XBT) data were collected and meteorological observations were made while transmitting
between mooring locations.
This report describes the work that took place during R/V Knorr cruise number 138 leg XV which was the fourth scheduled
Subduction mooring cruise. During this cruise the moorings previously deployed for a third and final eight month period were
recovered. This report includes a description of the moorings and instrumentation that were recovered, has information about the
underway measurements (XBT and meteorological observations) that were made including plots of the data, and presents a chronology
of the cruise events.
