Sea level and current data collected near Newport, Oregon are
compared to determine an empirical relationship from which the low
frequency (f < .1 cpd) alongshore current field over the continental
shelf is estimated from observed sea level measurements at the coast.
Regression analysis of the near-surface (20-25 m) currents
with sea level indicates the surface currents are in geostrophic
balance with the sea surface slope. Analysis of the alongshore shear
between the near-surface and deep (75-80 m) layers with sea level
shows the thermal wind relationship holds.
A near-surface regression model is developed from which the mean
monthly alongshore current 20-25 m below the surface can be estimated
with a standard estimate of error (σ[subscript ER]) less than six cm/sec.
The annual range at this depth is nearly 60 cm/sec. A regression
model for the alongshore shear is formed from which the mean vertical
shear is estimated with a σ[subscript ER] of .07-.10 cm/sec/m. The annual
range is approximately .8 cm/sec/m.
The surface currents are found to be predominantly driven by the
local meteorological conditions. Deep and near-bottom current observations
suggest the deep layer currents are primarily influenced by the
thermal wind relationship and the location of the California Undercurrent. / Graduation date: 1977
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28432 |
| Date | 06 October 1976 |
| Creators | Marthaler, James Gordon |
| Contributors | Huyer, Adriana |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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