| Abstract: | From a set of 28 current meter records we have found that near-bottom currents faster than 0.2 m s-1 occur frequently over the outer continental shelf of the Mid-Atlantic Bight (bottom depth <210 m) but very rarely (<1% of the time) between bottom depths of 500 m and 2 km over the slope. The rarity of strong near-bottom flow over the middle and lower slope allows the accumulation of fine-grained sediment and organic carbon in this region. Fast near-bottom currents which do occur over the slope are invariably associated with topographic waves, although it is often superimposed inertial oscillations which increase current speed above the level of 0.2 m s-1. Episodes of intense inertial oscillations occur randomly and last typically for 10-20 days. Their energy source is unknown. Topographic wave energy exhibits a slight, but statistically significant, minimum over the mid-slope. These waves appear irregularly and vary both along isobaths and in time. The irregularity is presumably a consequence of random topographic wave generation by Gulf Stream instability. The current regime within sea-floor depressions in the slope (canyons and gullies) is distinctly different from that of the open slope; most notable is the near absence of topographic wave motion within depressions. ?? 1988. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70013826 |
| Citation Author: | Csanady, G. T.; Churchill, J. H.; Butman, B. |
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| Citation End Page: | 671 |
| Citation Issue: | 5-7 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Continental Shelf Research |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 19 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Near-bottom currents over the continental slope in the Mid-Atlantic Bight; 1988; Article; Journal; Continental Shelf Research; Csanady, G. T.; Churchill, J. H.; Butman, B. |
| Citation Start Page: | 653 |
| Citation Volume: | 8 |
| Citation Year: | 1988 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Near-bottom currents over the continental slope in the Mid-Atlantic Bight; 1988; Article; Journal; Continental Shelf Research; Csanady, G. T.; Churchill, J. H.; Butman, B. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Fri, 1 Jan 1988 00:00 -0600 |
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