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Demographics of mesoscale eddies in the California Current
Author(s) -
Stegmann Petra M.,
Schwing Franklin
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007gl029504
Subject(s) - anticyclone , eddy , climatology , mesoscale meteorology , demographics , cyclone (programming language) , geology , current (fluid) , altimeter , satellite altimetry , oceanography , meteorology , geography , demography , geodesy , turbulence , field programmable gate array , sociology , computer science , computer hardware
Demographics and variability of persistent mesoscale eddies in the California Current have been investigated in a systematic manner using a decade (1995–2004) of merged satellite altimeter data. The number of persistent eddies formed each year varied almost 3‐fold (4‐fold) for cyclones (anticyclones) and was strongly modulated by the 1997–1998 El Niño event. Over the 10‐year period, cyclone formation was maximum in both winter and summer while maximum anticyclone formation occurred only in winter. The majority of long‐lived eddies (≥70‐day lifespan) originated seaward of the 1000 m isobath, and with the exception of 2 anticyclones, did not form between 45° and 50°N. Maximum westward propagation of long‐lived eddies was almost 800 km with similar mean propagation speeds for cyclones and anticyclones.