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2002 LAPCOD Meeting
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Statistics of Mediterranean eddies
J. Isern-Fontanet, E. Garcia-Ladona, J. Font
Institut de Ciencies del Mar (CSIC)
jisern@cmima.csic.es(Abstract received 09/23/2002 for session A)
ABSTRACT
The precise definition of eddy cores in terms of the Okubo-Weiss parameter allows to identify and build a census of eddies in the Mediterranean sea from altimetric maps for the period October 1992-October 1999. The analysis of the properties of these eddies suggests that a distinction between 'weak' and 'strong' eddies can be done in terms of the minimum value of the Okubo-Weiss parameter reached inside an eddy core. The analysis of sizes of the observed structures suggests that 'strong' eddies can be roughly identified with mesoscale eddies. With this criterion to classify eddies it is possible to systematically obtain their trajectories. Results show that Mediterranean eddies are mainly located in the Algerian Basin and the Levantine Basin as suggested by AVHRR images. For the first time a precise picture of the Mediterranean eddy paths has been obtained. The associated velocity P.D.F derived from altimetry also shows characteristic patterns due to the presence of eddies.
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2002 LAPCOD Meeting, Key Largo, Florida, December 12-16, 2000