Observations of the Dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current
47
4 An XBT Section Across the ACC
The above discussed strong vertical coupling between the surface and the subsurface flow suggests the importance of looking at the vertical structure of the
mass and velocity fields across the ACC. As already mentioned, since the typical
route followed by the Italian research vessel from New Zealand to Terra Nova Bay,
where the Italian base is located, approximately coincides with the P14S WOCE
hydrological section, an effort has been made over the years to sample the température field across that section as often as possible. In particular, during the
cruises undertaken in the austral summers 1994-1995,1995-1996 and 1996-1997,
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
■6
-8
-10
Fig. 6. a Température section obtained from XBTs deployed along a portion of the P14S
WOCE section between December 28, 1994, and January 1, 1995. b Eastward geostrophic
flow estimated from température XBT data
47
4 An XBT Section Across the ACC
The above discussed strong vertical coupling between the surface and the subsurface flow suggests the importance of looking at the vertical structure of the
mass and velocity fields across the ACC. As already mentioned, since the typical
route followed by the Italian research vessel from New Zealand to Terra Nova Bay,
where the Italian base is located, approximately coincides with the P14S WOCE
hydrological section, an effort has been made over the years to sample the température field across that section as often as possible. In particular, during the
cruises undertaken in the austral summers 1994-1995,1995-1996 and 1996-1997,
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
■6
-8
-10
Fig. 6. a Température section obtained from XBTs deployed along a portion of the P14S
WOCE section between December 28, 1994, and January 1, 1995. b Eastward geostrophic
flow estimated from température XBT data