Satellite Measurements Reveal Persistent Small-Scale Features in Ocean Winds

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1091901
• Publication Date: 2004-01-20T01:17:27Z
• Authors: Dudley B. Chelton; Michael G. Schlax; Michael H. Freilich; Ralph F. Milliff
• Keywords: Curl (programming language); Scatterometer; Gulf Stream

Four-year averages of 25-kilometer-resolution measurements near-surface wind speed and direction over the global ocean from QuikSCAT satellite radar scatterometer reveal existence surprisingly persistent small-scale features in dynamically thermodynamically important curl divergence stress. Air-sea interaction sea surface temperature fronts throughout world is evident both fields, as are influences islands coastal mountains. Ocean currents such Gulf Stream generate distinctive patterns field. These previously unresolved have implications for oceanographic air-sea research.