Bd. Dushaw et al., BAROTROPIC CURRENTS AND VORTICITY IN THE CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC-OCEAN DURING SUMMER 1987 DETERMINED FROM LONG-RANGE RECIPROCAL ACOUSTIC TRANSMISSIONS, J GEO RES-O, 99(C2), 1994, pp. 3263-3272
Large-scale depth-integrated currents and relative vorticity were meas
ured in the central North Pacific Ocean during summer 1987 using long-
range reciprocal acoustic transmissions between transceivers in a tria
ngle approximately 1000 km on a side. Inverse techniques were used to
estimate the depth-averaged (barotropic) current bihourly at 4-day int
ervals from differential travel times. Tidal constituent amplitudes an
d phases found from the acoustically determined currents agree with th
ose found from current meters and with the tidal models of Schwiderski
(1980) and Cartwright et al. (1992), providing confirmation that the
tomographically derived barotropic currents are correct within the exp
ected uncertainties. The estimated low-frequency, large-scale currents
are compared with depth-averaged currents determined by point measure
ments using current meters and bottom-mounted electrometers. Meridiona
l and zonal currents are calculated using the topographic Sverdrup bal
ance with the Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center wind field. The meas
ured time derivative of the areally averaged relative vorticity is sho
wn to be insignificant to the Sverdrup balance. Currents and vorticity
calculated using the Sverdrup balance are an order of magnitude small
er than the observations. The magnitude and variability of the large-s
cale currents and vorticity determined from the Semtner and Chervin (1
988) eddy-resolving model of ocean circulation are similar to the dire
ct measurements.