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Zonal jets in and near the Coral Sea, seen by satellite altimetry
Author(s) -
Hughes C. W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2001gl014006
Subject(s) - geology , altimeter , boundary current , satellite altimetry , climatology , oceanography , tide gauge , sea level , satellite , ocean current , geodesy , aerospace engineering , engineering
A recent model study predicted the existence of zonal jets to the west of islands in and near the Coral Sea in the southwest Pacific, but found only equivocal support for their existence from past in‐situ data. The jets conform to the pattern which would be expected of an ocean in Sverdrup balance except in western boundary currents, when islands are present. Several techniques are used here to identify these jets in satellite altimeter data. There are differences in detail, particularly in the existence of a westward jet at 16°S which is apparent from the altimetry and from previous in‐situ measurements but absent from OCCAM. However, the general picture of westward jets emanating from the northern and southern tips of island groups, and relatively stagnant regions to the west of islands is confirmed by all three altimetric measures of the circulation.