THE AZORES AND ST. HELENA CURRENTS FROM TWO DECADES OF SATELLITE ALTIMETRY: INSPECTING THEIR CONGENERACY AND ROLES IN THE SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC

摘要

Nearly two decades of satellite altimetry are used to assess the congeneracy of Azores (AzC) and St. Helena currents (StHC), aiming to achieve a finer description of the ocean circulation variability over the North and South Subtropical Atlantic basins (meso and large scales). The main cores of the two currents are found at similar latitudes (34°N and 34oS for the AzC and StHC, respectively). Earlier studies, using mainly hydrological measurements, have shown similar characteristics for AzC and StHC regarding intensity, depth penetration, volume transport, and zonal flow. The results presented here are the first steps towards the analysis of both currents, and their associated fronts, through the synergistic use of altimetry and other remote sensing data (e.g. sea surface temperature).