Structures and characteristics of newly formed water masses in the NW levantine during 1986, 1992, 1995

摘要

In early spring of 1986, 1992 and 1995 , newly formed deep water masses were observed in the cyclonic rhodes Gyre of the eastern Mediterranean at depths reaching approx 1000 m in 1995 and exceeding 1000 m in 1986 and 2000 m in 1992. Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) formation was observed at localized source areas south of the East Cretan Straits at the periphery or near the center of the lerapetra Anticyclone. Adittional massive LIW formation was observed in 1992 in anticyclonic circulation structures north of Cyprus. The lateral scales of the newly formed water masses in cyclonic structures appear roughly proportional to the penetration depth of the convection, so that a large lateral scale indicating a massive production would be associated with a deep rather than an intermediate formation.