Temporal and spatial variability of the Azores Current from altimetry and hydrography

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Abstract
Variability of the Azores Current is investigated by combining hydrographic data collected in March, 1992 with ERS-1 altimeter data from January - March, 1992 and January - early April, 1994. The altimeter surface measurements contain information about both the geoid and the ocean circulation: the geoid signal dominates and is generally not sufficiently well known at the small length scales required to identify the mesoscale ocean signal. In this study we use hydrography to distinguish the mean ocean signal from the geoid and thereby determine the absolute dynamic topography (i.e. the ocean circulation signature). One leg of the ship survey lies along a ground track of ERS-1 while in its 3-day repeat missions (phases B and D). We examine the variability of the absolute surface geostrophic velocity perpendicular to the track. The observed temporal and spatial variability may be indicative of a switch in the Azores Current system from a winter situation to a summer situation.

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