Satellite Observations of Mesoscale Eddy Dynamics in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Harry G. Stumpf National Environmental Satellite Service, NOAA, Washington, D. C. 20233

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Richard V. Legeckis National Environmental Satellite Service, NOAA, Washington, D. C. 20233

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Abstract

Active mesoscale (300 km diameter) eddy formation off the Pacific coast of Central America was observed during February 1976 by a thermal infrared sensor aboard the NOAA 4 satellite. These anticyclonic eddies, closely associated with wind-induced upwellings, propagate westward at an average speed of 13 km day−1, which is approximately the speed of nondispersive baroclinic Rossby waves at latitude 12°N.

Abstract

Active mesoscale (300 km diameter) eddy formation off the Pacific coast of Central America was observed during February 1976 by a thermal infrared sensor aboard the NOAA 4 satellite. These anticyclonic eddies, closely associated with wind-induced upwellings, propagate westward at an average speed of 13 km day−1, which is approximately the speed of nondispersive baroclinic Rossby waves at latitude 12°N.

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