Sea surface temperature distribution in the Azores region. Part II: space-time variability and underlying mechanisms.
2004
Bashmachnikov, Igor | Lafon, Virginie | Martins, Ana
Following the methodology described in the first part of the article, monthly Sea Surface Temperature (SST) distribution and variability in the Azores region was studied for the years 2001-2002. The mean SST field shows colder waters in the vicinity of big topographic features − near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, between the Central and Eastern groups of the Azores islands and near the Azores and Princess Alice banks, with maximum temperature differences reaching 1ºC. Some of the anomalies can result from intensification of moving cyclonic waves/vortexes over bottom rises. The importance of wave/vortex induced heat flux from the Azores front to the Azores islands is discussed. Position of two eastward flows to the north and south of the Azores islands was investigated with the SST data. We suggest that the observed seasonal variability of the SST data greatly depends on general circulation seasonal changes in this region.
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