Mesoscale variability in the Canary region from altimetry

Abstract

Three series of altimeter data of the GEOSAT (1987-1989), ERS-1(1992-1993) and TOPEX/Poseidon satellites are used to identify and analyze the main mesoscale oceanographic features that appears in the oriental edge of the Atlantic Ocean, 20º-40º N, -19º- -9º W. The variability maps of the altitude of the sea surface and eddy kinetic energy have been computed by a process of objective analysis. Although the flow in this area is not so intensive as in the west frontier, like the Gulf Stream, it has been possible to compare the altimeter results with those from other remote sensing sensors and with in situ data. It has been estimated the correlation among the different types of data to detect eddies from the Mediterranean Sea and those generated in the south of Gran Canaria, as well as the identification of filaments from the NW African upwelling.