Book Description

During Nov and Dec 1969 scientists aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson studied the thermohaline and density structures in the transition zones between the California current, the tradewind circulation, the outflow from the Gulf of California, and the north equatorial current. Most of the investigations were concentrated off Baja California, the Revilla Gigedos Island region, and across the mouth of the Gulf of California. Of the 254 STD stations planned, 249 were completed; four were lost and one was omitted, because the water in lee of Isla Clarion, Mexico was too shallow. The primary objectives of the field study were: 1) to investigate the mesoscale thermohaline and density structures in the transition zones associated with the outer boundaries of the California current. 2) to study the frontal structures in the Revilla Gigedos islands region, where the California current, the outflow from the Gulf of California, and the north equatorial current intermingle. 3) to determine the mesoscale thermohaline and baroclinic flow structure across the mouth of the Gulf of California by very high resolution hydrographic sections. Keywords: Oceanographic data; Sea water; Ocean currents; Autumn; Ocean circulation; Salinity temperature depth; Oceanographic fronts.