Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data

QIU Yun; HU Jian-yu

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QIU Yun, HU Jian-yu. Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data[J]. Haiyang Xuebao, 2004, 26(6): 1-12.

Citation:

QIU Yun, HU Jian-yu. Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data[J]. Haiyang Xuebao, 2004, 26(6): 1-12.

QIU Yun, HU Jian-yu. Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data[J]. Haiyang Xuebao, 2004, 26(6): 1-12.

Citation:

QIU Yun, HU Jian-yu. Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data[J]. Haiyang Xuebao, 2004, 26(6): 1-12.

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Monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic derived from TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data

QIU Yun¹,
HU Jian-yu²

1.
Department of Oceanography, Institute of Subtropical Oceanography, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
2.
Department of Oceanography, Institute of Subtropical Oceanography, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;Marine Environmental Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Received Date: 2003-11-15
Rev Recd Date: 2004-06-23

Abstract

Abstract

The monthly variation of surface currents in the tropical Atlantic is studied by using the TOPEX/Poseidon altimeter data from April 1993 to March 2001.The results are as follow:The current is stronger in the low latitude of the tropical Atlantic Ocean than that in the high latitude of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.Although there are regions with a strong monthly variation of the tropical surface circulation,large regions of the tropics do not show a significant monthly variation.The zonal current in the North Equatorial Current region in July-December is greater than that in January-June.From May to November,the African Coastal Current is northeastward,while during the other months the velocity is southeastward.The North Equatorial Counter current is divided into two parts:East of 25°W the countercurrent continued throughout the year,and the maximum average velocity is about 25 cm/s in September.West of 25°W,from February to June the counter current diminishes and westward currents are observed,while during the other months,the countercurrent is eastward.
- TOPEX/Poseidon,
- the tropical Atlantic Ocean,
- geostrophic velocity,
- monthly variation

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References(15)

References

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