Figure 1. KESS Observational Plan
Next May 2004, this array is going to be deployed. Currently
there are no air-sea flux measurements in this plan.
Figure 1a.
Bottom topography in this region.
Figure 1b.
Bottom topography in this region -- detail.
Figure 1c.
Shifted site, for array moved away from cables.
Depth is 6000 m at 145.9991E, 32.46N [triangle symbol on map]
Figure 2. KESS
science objectives KESS (Kuroshio Extension System Study)
goals are to understand the dynamics and
thermodynamics between the Kuroshio Extension and the Recirculation Gyre.
Figure 3. Currents in the Kuroshio
This is not an easy place to work...
Figure 4a. Wintertime (JFM) rainfall...
Figure 4b. Wintertime (JFM) latent heat flux...
Figure 4c. Wintertime (JFM) sensible heat flux...
Figure 4d. Annual mean carbon flux...
This is where the ACTION is. The need for air-sea flux measurements goes far beyond the needs of this experiment. However, the KESS experiment can be used as a way to begin long-term monitoring of the air-sea interaction in the Kuroshio Extension Region, a region that impacts the entire Pacific basin and beyond. To piggy back the longterm monitoring onto the KESS experiment, air-sea flux buoys would need to be deployed SOON -- on Nelson Hogg's mooring cruise in May 2004.
Figure 5. Simple EPIC-type
moorings... The strategy would be to make the moorings
simple. They must have extremely low drag (slack-line) and heavy
anchor.
If the load becomes intolerable, the mooring would either break
away from its anchor, or sink. In any case, we will have learned much
about the climate system, and about moorings in high current regimes.
Refurbished EPIC inventory can be used to make these moorings very
economical.
Meghan F. Cronin Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 USA |
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