Gouriou Yves, Delcroix Thierry, Eldin Gérard. (2006). Upper and intermediate circulation in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean in October 1999 and April 2000. Geophysical Research Letters, 33 (10), L10603 NIL_44-NIL_47. ISSN 0094-8276.
Titre du document
Upper and intermediate circulation in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean in October 1999 and April 2000
Geophysical Research Letters, 2006,
33 (10), L10603 NIL_44-NIL_47 ISSN 0094-8276
The upper and intermediate circulation (0-1200 m) in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean is examined thanks to Lowered Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (LADCP) measurements carried out during two cruises in October 1999 and April 2000. Several new features of the equatorial circulation are discussed. It is shown that the secondary South Subsurface CounterCurrent (sSSCC) laying at 6 degrees S-400 m depth, had a deep extension at 165 degrees E with a maximum core velocity around 5 degrees S-1000 m. Furthermore the Equatorial Intermediate Current (EIC) and the Lower EIC (LEIC) displayed a strong temporal variability between 165 degrees E and 180 degrees, as these two westward currents were replaced by eastward flow along the equator on the second cruise. Finally during the April 2000 cruise the zonal velocity profile carried out at the equator east of the Gilbert Island (around 175 degrees E) broke into small vertical scales, possibly reflecting topographic effect and/or destabilization mechanism that leads to the formation of long zonal jet-like structures.
