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Southern ocean mean monthly waves and surface winds for winter 1978 by Seasat radar altimeterData acquired by the SEASAT radar altimeter during the 3 month satellite lifetime are analyzed in a study of the sea state of the southern hemisphere oceans. The lifetime of the SEASAT satellite, July 7 to October 10, 1978, corresponds to the Antarctic winter. Mean monthly maps of wind speed, significant wave height, and swell have been generated from the altimeter measurements along the satellite tracks. These maps delineate spatial and temporal differences of these parameters in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Several features of the Southern Ocean wind and wave fields agree with conventional descriptions. For example, the principle zonal wind regimes established by the Southeast Trades and Westerlies are clearly evident in the monthly averages. Significant wave height and swell also exhibit minima near the Doldrums at low latitudes with steady increases southward to the latitudes of the Westerlies. However, superimposed on these general patterns is significant variability with horizontal scales as small as 1000 km. The maps also document a gradual migration of the region of absolute maximum wind and wave from the Atlantic eastward to the Indian Ocean and finally into the Pacific.
Document ID
19830043081
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mognard, N. M.
(Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales Toulouse, France)
Campbell, W. J.
(U.S. Geological Survey Tacoma, WA, United States)
Cheney, R. E.
(Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales Toulouse, France)
Marsh, J. G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
February 28, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 88
Subject Category
Oceanography
Accession Number
83A24299
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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