@article{fdi:010073148,
  title = {{O}bserved characteristics and vertical structure of mesoscale eddies in the {S}outhwest {T}ropical {P}acific},
  author = {{K}eppler, {L}. and {C}ravatte, {S}ophie and {C}haigneau, {A}lexis and {P}egliasco, {C}. and {G}ourdeau, {L}ionel and {S}ingh, {A}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}n the {S}outhwest {P}acific {O}cean, waters transit from the subtropical gyre before being redistributed equatorward and poleward. {W}hile the mean pathways are known, the contribution to the mixing and transport of the water from mesoscale eddies has not been comprehensively investigated. {I}n this research, satellite altimetry data, combined with an eddy detection and tracking algorithm is used to investigate the distribution and surface characteristics of mesoscale eddies in this region of complex bathymetry (10 degrees {S}-30 degrees {S}, 140 degrees {E}-190 degrees {E}). {D}etected eddies are then colocalized with in situ data from {A}rgo floats to determine their vertical structure and the effect of eddies on the water masses. {T}he numerous islands affect the eddy behavior as most eddies are formed in the lee of islands, propagate westward and decay when encountering shallow bathymetry. {E}ddies are sparse and short-lived in the tropical area north of {F}iji, impacting only the top 200 meters of water. {T}hey do not appear to be able to trap and transport waters in this region. {I}n the {C}oral {S}ea, a region of lateral shear between currents transporting waters of different origins, eddies are more numerous and energetic. {T}hey affect the water properties down to at least 500 m depth, and anticyclonic eddies trap water to approximate to 200 m, contributing to the upper thermocline waters mixing and transport. {S}outh of {N}ew {C}aledonia, mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous, with typical lifetimes longer than 5 months. {T}hey affect the temperature, salinity, and velocities down to approximate to 1,000 m depth, and weakly contribute to the mixing of lower thermocline waters.},
  keywords = {mesoscale eddies ; southwest {P}acific ; argo floats ; satellite altimetry ; {ZONE} {TROPICALE} ; {PACIFIQUE} {SUD} {OUEST}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch : {O}ceans},
  volume = {123},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {2731--2756},
  ISSN = {2169-9275},
  year = {2018},
  DOI = {10.1002/2017jc013712},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010073148},
}