Pavlov and Pavlov: Features of Seasonal and Interannual Variability ofthe Sea Level
13
,950 1m ,HO 'NS l!il10 1115 ,tao ,us ,UO Itts
,t50 1155
1160 1K6 ,t70 '115 l!ileG lS35 tHO '195
Maliy Taimyr isl.
Preobrajenia isl.
em
an
195~
1'960
196~
15110
197~
19«1
19~
'!)gO
1995
1950
1955 1960 1965 '910 1915 19110 ,9M 15190 19'16
Terpiay - Tumsa
Dunay isl.
em
an
'950 1~ 1960 196~ 1970 1975 IHCI 'ISS '980 ISiS
Tiksi
Sannikova
Figure 7: Interannual variability of the Laptev Sea level (observations at the coastal and island stations).
were prepared within the framework of the Russian-American Project (Joint-U.S.-Russian
Atlas of the Arctic Ocean, 1997). An analysis of the results (Figure 9) shows that the general
cyclonic character of the circulation in the Laptev Sea is preserved. However, the positions of
the vorticity centers, their intensity and the vertical structure of currents vary significantly. In
the 1950s and 1970s, the cyclonic water circulation in the Laptev Sea is strongly developed
(Figure 9), whereas in the 1960s and 1980s it is more weak. In the 1980s, in the eastern Laptev
Sea, the anticyclonic water circulation begins to prevail.
For illustrating the interannual variability of the sea level surface, the diagnostic calculations
were performed for the 1970s. They were based on the gridded three-dimensional temperature
and salinity fields prepared by Polyakov and Timokhov (1994) from data of the most complete
winter CTD observations during the "Sever" expeditions. The results show (Figure lO) that the
spatial structure of the sea level fields in the Laptev Sea change insignificantly from 1973 to
1978. In 1979 however a sharp modification in the sea level field begins. The center of the area
of low sea-level is displaced to the north and a sea level rise north and west of the NewSiberian Islands occurs. Thus, in 1979 the process forming the anticyclonic circulation in the
eastern Laptev Sea begins.
13
,950 1m ,HO 'NS l!il10 1115 ,tao ,us ,UO Itts
,t50 1155
1160 1K6 ,t70 '115 l!ileG lS35 tHO '195
Maliy Taimyr isl.
Preobrajenia isl.
em
an
195~
1'960
196~
15110
197~
19«1
19~
'!)gO
1995
1950
1955 1960 1965 '910 1915 19110 ,9M 15190 19'16
Terpiay - Tumsa
Dunay isl.
em
an
'950 1~ 1960 196~ 1970 1975 IHCI 'ISS '980 ISiS
Tiksi
Sannikova
Figure 7: Interannual variability of the Laptev Sea level (observations at the coastal and island stations).
were prepared within the framework of the Russian-American Project (Joint-U.S.-Russian
Atlas of the Arctic Ocean, 1997). An analysis of the results (Figure 9) shows that the general
cyclonic character of the circulation in the Laptev Sea is preserved. However, the positions of
the vorticity centers, their intensity and the vertical structure of currents vary significantly. In
the 1950s and 1970s, the cyclonic water circulation in the Laptev Sea is strongly developed
(Figure 9), whereas in the 1960s and 1980s it is more weak. In the 1980s, in the eastern Laptev
Sea, the anticyclonic water circulation begins to prevail.
For illustrating the interannual variability of the sea level surface, the diagnostic calculations
were performed for the 1970s. They were based on the gridded three-dimensional temperature
and salinity fields prepared by Polyakov and Timokhov (1994) from data of the most complete
winter CTD observations during the "Sever" expeditions. The results show (Figure lO) that the
spatial structure of the sea level fields in the Laptev Sea change insignificantly from 1973 to
1978. In 1979 however a sharp modification in the sea level field begins. The center of the area
of low sea-level is displaced to the north and a sea level rise north and west of the NewSiberian Islands occurs. Thus, in 1979 the process forming the anticyclonic circulation in the
eastern Laptev Sea begins.