Open AccessObservations from a Yakutat eddy in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Author(s) -
Ladd C.,
Kachel N. B.,
Mordy C. W.,
Stabeno P. J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2004jc002710
Subject(s) - eddy , oceanography , geology , altimeter , structural basin , environmental science , meteorology , remote sensing , geography , geomorphology , turbulence
The impingement of deep basin eddies on the shelf in the Gulf of Alaska has been implicated as an important mechanism for cross‐shelf exchange. The influence of eddies on biological processes has been confirmed with data from the Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor showing elevated chlorophyll associated with eddies. Altimetry data suggest that an eddy formed in the winter of 2003 near Yakutat, Alaska, and propagated along the shelf break, reaching the head of the gulf by spring. This eddy was sampled during May and September of 2003. The eddy core water was warm, salty, and high in nitrate relative to basin water of the same density but was similar to historical water properties from the shelf near Yakutat. This suggests a shelf origin for the eddy core water.