temperature section salinity section

Figure 11: A Seasoar section through the Subtropical Front obtained during R/V Franklin research voyage FR02/98 in February 1998. The first graph shows temperature, the second graph salinity. The section runs south west to north east, centred on 130°E. The Seasoar produces a vertical data profile every 1 km; gaps indicate a change in the data logging files or minor sampling problems (such as temporarily clogged sensors).

The meandering STF is crossed twice, near km 270 and km 380. The warm and salty water between km 270 - 380 is the region on the subtropical (northern) side of the front, the remainder the subpolar (southern) region. Note the high salinity features below the mixed layer which trail away from the subtropical into the subpolar region. They are believed to be remnants of temporary interleaving, produced by variable winds which shift the mixed layer back and forth across the front.


This page was created on 21/5/98

© 1998 M. Tomczak

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