A NOTE ON THE GEOSTROPHIC VELOCITY-FIELD REFERENCED TO A POINT

An alternative to the Dynamic Method for determining the geostrophic f low over shallow, irregular bathymetry is presented. The steric height s of water columns are computed by integrating the density from the su rface to the bottom and then along bathymetric fall lines to a deepest common point. By assuming that the bottom pressures along these fall lines are isostatically adjusted, the steric height distribution can b e converted into an adjusted sea-level distribution by using the deepe st common point as a reference. The total pressure difference between two water columns is then available for conversion to geostrophic flow . An example of an application of the method to data from the Northern Adriatic, together with a discussion of the uncertainties involved, i s given. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.