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The relationship of current fluctuations on the Southeast United States shelf to fluctuations of the wind and gulf stream and the East China Sea analog

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Abstract

Sub-tidal (1.04–25 day) current fluctuations during winter/spring on the continental shelf off Savannah, Georgia (32°N) and off St. Augustine, Florida (30°N) were compared with records of local wind stress components and GulfStream position. (Acoustic travel time and bottom pressure measurements at stations on the continental slope were combined to determine main, thermocline depth, as an indicator of Gulf Stream displacement). Relative wind influences increased towards the coast. GulfStream influence increased towards the shelf-break and towards the surface. Off Savannah, the Gulf Stream influence was predominately at 12 day period and was negligible at the 45 m isobath. Off St. Augustine, its influence was predominately at 4 day period and was appreciable at the 40 m isobath (but negligeable at the 28 m isobath). Linear predictions of currents from wind and Gulf Stream account for ∼80% of the observed variance. Similar methods of studying and predicting the wind—and Kuroshio-influenced currents on the East China Shelf are proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, U.S.A.

    Mark Wimbush

  2. Third Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Xiamen, China

    Li Li

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  1. Mark Wimbush
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  2. Li Li
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Wimbush, M., Li, L. The relationship of current fluctuations on the Southeast United States shelf to fluctuations of the wind and gulf stream and the East China Sea analog. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 6, 127–134 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02847832

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02847832

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