OCS Study 

MMS 96-0052 

Louisiana/Texas Shelf 

Physical Oceanography Program : 

Eddy Circulation Study 

Final Synthesis Report 

Volume II : Appendices 

Texas 

Louisiana 

~~ K 1 . V 

til 

Gulf of Mexico 

do 

;200 ~,~zoo 

`~-

--- 

. .1000 

F 

o° 

N 

o `° 

U.S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 
OCS Study 

MMS 96-0052 

Louisiana/Texas Shelf 

Physical Oceanography Program : 

Eddy Circulation Study 

Final Synthesis Report 

Volume II : Appendices 

Authors 

Thomas J . Berger 

Peter Hamilton 

James J . Singer 

Science Applications International Corporation 

Robert R. Leben 

George H . Born 

Chad A. Fox 

University of Colorado 

Prepared under MMS Contract 

14-35-0001-30633 

by 

Science Applications International Corporation 

615 Oberlin Road 

Raleigh, North Carolina 27605 

Published by 

U .S. Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service New Orleans 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region September 1996 
DISCLAIMER 

This report was prepared under contract between the Minerals 

Management Service (MMS) and Science Applications 

International Corporation (SAIC) . This report has been 

technically reviewed by the MMS and approved for publication . 

Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily 

reflect the views and policies of the Service, nor does 

mention of trade names or commercial products constitute 

endorsement or recommendation for use . It is, however, exempt 

from review and compliance with MMS editorial standards . 

REPORT AVAILABILITY 

Extra copies of the report may be obtained from the Public 

Information Office (Mail Stop 5034) at the following address : 

U .S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

Public Information Office (MS 5034) 

1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard 

New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 

Telephone Number : 1-504-736-2519 

1-800-200-GULF 

CITATION 

Suggested citation : 

T .J . Berger, P . Hamilton, J .J . Singer, R .R . Leben, G .H . Born, 

and C .A . Fox . 1996 . Louisiana/Texas Shelf Physical 

Oceanography Program : Eddy Circulation Study, Final 

Synthesis Report . Volume II : Appendices . OCS Study MMS 

96-0052 . U .S . Department of the Interior, Minerals 

Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New 

Orleans, La . 151 pp . 

COVER 

The cover shows the depth of the 15°C isotherm on November 4, 

1994 and the path of drifter 12376 (Y) during November 1-11, 

1994 . Arrow heads are at 3-day intervals (Volume I : Figure 

5 .6-5b) . 

iii 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

A . Gulf of Mexico Sea Surface Topography Climatology 

Derived from GEOSAT Altimeter Data . . . . . . . . A-1 

A.l Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3 

A.2 GEOSAT Geodetic Mission Climatology . . . . . A-5 

A.3 Exact Repeat Mission Climatology . . . . . . A-31 

A.4 Annual and Seasonal Sea Surface Height 

Variability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-101 

A.5 Annual and Seasonal Geostrophic Velocity 

Variability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-111 

B . Gulf of Mexico Significant Wave Height Climatology 

Derived from GEOSAT Altimeter Data . . . . . . . . B-1 

B .1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 

B .2 Annual Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5 

B .3 Seasonal Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-11 

C . Gulf of Mexico Wind Speed Climatology Derived 

from GEOSAT Altimeter Data . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 

C .l Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . C-3 

C .2 Annual Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5 

C .3 Seasonal Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-11 

v 
Appendix A - Gulf of Mexico Sea Surface Topography 

Climatology Derived from GEOSAT 

Altimeter Data 

A-1 
A .1 Introduction 

The complete climatology of sea surface height anomalies with 

respect to the Ohio State University mean sea surface 

(OSUMSS95) is presented in this appendix . The GEOSAT Geodetic 

mission climatology is presented in Appendix A.2 . The GEOSAT 

Exact Repeat Mission climatology is presented in Appendix A .3 . 

Maps of the seasonal and annual root mean square (RMS) sea 

surface height variability are presented in Appendix A.4 . 

Maps of the seasonal and annual RMS geostrophic velocity 

variability are presented in Appendix A.5 . Data processing, 

editing and presentation have been described in Section 3 .4 .2 

of this report . 

A-3 
A .2 GEOSAT Geodetic Mission Climatology 

A-5 
Geosat G M Cycl e 1 - Ma r 31 to A pr 22, 1 985 

30°N 30°N 

\I 

- o 

l_l- U __ 

ro 

. ,, 

-- ~ ~ . 

25°N 25°N 

o o ,,20 : / 1 

o 

0 3 

20 ° N 2 0 °N 

v U , 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-1 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 1 (March 31 to April 22, 1985) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat G M Cycl e 2 - Ap r 23 to M ay 15, 1 985 

30°N - 30°N 

u 

U 

--- 

. . 

o ~o~ 

0 _ O ^~~°~ o~,~ , __ o :- 

25°N v 25°N 

---~-- - ~ ro 

,- 

o a 7 

-- o 0 ~ 

°J °~c 

20 ° N 20 °N 

+ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .2-2 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 2 (April 23 to May 15, 1985) . 
i 

00 

Geosat GM Cycle 3 - May 16 to J un 7, 19 85 

I 

30°N ;~ 

- _ _ ,- 

30°N 

L 

0 

'``` 

: 

`T ' ~ 

- 

a~ ~ 

o 0 

25°N 

0 

4 ~ 25°N 

o \ ~ " p 

o 

o - =` 

~~- 

0 

i 

- 

-- 

ro ~ 

20 ° N 20°N 

v 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-3 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 3 (May 16 to June 7, 1985) . 
Geosat GM Cycle 4 - Jun 8 to Jun 30, 1985 

30°N _ - 

30°N ; . 

_ : ; 

- O~~ ~ pI__, _ 0 

1 I 

25°N - = =__/ 25°N 

,- 

- o - o ~-- o 

,,,> o / L 

\~ O I 

20 ° N v 20°N 

-- _ - 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .2-4 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 4 (June 8 to 30, 1985) . Drifter locations within 

five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
0 

Geosat GM Cycl e 5 - Jul y 1 to July 23, 19 85 

30°N 30°N 

--- -- - 

o ~r= ~ ~ _ 

25°N =~°='~ 

°~``- 

~- 

25°N 

-- 

_ ~ ._ ~° ~ i =-- 

---= '~ 

v 

/// 1)1 )~ C 

o J 

'' o Uo "_ ° o 

-- 

~ 

\\ 

o 0. 

20 ° N --- - .._ ° - 20°N 

` -+- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.2-5 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 5 (July 1 to 23, 1985) . Drifter locations within 

five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 6 - Jul y 24 to A ug 15, 1 985 

30°N ~ 30°N 

-~ --- 

__ 

-- -- 

Ir ~o ~ o r 

25 ° 1

.10~~ 

; 25°N 10 - _ 0 - 

~ 

------ ) -- v 

n,- A 

u 

O 

20 ° N 20 ° N 

-- - ------------ 

:- - - -+- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-6 Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 6 (July 24 to August 15, 1985) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 7 - Au g 16 to S ep 7, 19 85 

30°N - 30°N 

-------- ------ ------------ 

o --- 

10 

- . 2(j .

----- 

N 

--------- 

25 ----~ - - -- - ` -o~ r ~ ?° 25 * N 

------ __ u - ---- - --- -- 

ro ~~2~ o a .o.~~ ~1 Ij I . _ 

u 

20°N ~ -- ~ 20°N 

tial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.2-7 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 7 (August 16 to September 7, 1985) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

W 

Geosat GM Cycle 8 - Sep 8 to Sep 30, 1985 

30'N 30*N 

0, In 

0 . 

0 0, 

r 0 

A - 20 

25*N A 25*N 

0 - - ---- 

-- 

i 

_ 

--- 

0 

,_---- 0 '--- , 

i 

0 I 

° 

2 ~,N 

20 N 

f 

tial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-8 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 8 (September 8 to 30, 1985) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
3354 

i 

N 

Geosat GM Cycl e 9 - Oct 1 to Oc t 23, 198 5 

30°N 30°N 

X1 0 , --_-- " _ "0 

-- 

76 0 

0 

---- 3 

v 

__ -- 

i 

I 

DO ' ~0 

n ~ ~ 

I 

o ~ ~ N 

--- -- - 

0 

n 20N0O N 

-~ --~ initial drifter location 

950W 90 a

W 850W 800W 

Figure A .2-9 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 9 (October 1 to 23, 1985) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
I 

N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 10 - O ct 24 to Nov 15, 1 985 

30°N (n 30°N 

o ~ \ 

O r- 0 10 \`` _ ; O 

--/ ~` ~1~ ~~w o ~ U 

25°N 

, 25°N 

-- O 

,335 _ o o_, 

o ~ ( i 

20 ° N 20°N 

~- initial drifter location 

950W 900W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-10 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 10 (October 24 to November 15, 1985) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat GM Cycl e 11 - N ov 16 to Dec 8, 1 985 

30°N 30°N 

o 

o f 

' T 0 0 

25°N 25°N 

~ 

fiP 

U ~ 

ro ~=20 , o . . 

' 

/ ' `I \ 

[~Q~l`` 

, 

' 

_ 

____- ~ 

O 

O 

O 

o --- 

20°N 

20,N i 

-- ~ ~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .2-11 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 11 (November 16 to December 8, 1985) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat G M Cycl e 12 - D ec 9 to D ec 31, 1985 

30* N ' 30O N 

--- 

0 - 

1 '~ 

\~' \~ 

0 

0 

, 

o( j0` ._ 

- 1 i 

o 

~ 2 5 N '0 -- _ - D ~ 

D L 25 0 N 

v 5 4 _- 

v ~o - v . 

o D 

20 ° N ~ ~` - -- 20 ° N 

initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.2-12 . Sea surface height 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 

within five days of 

anomaly with respect 

12 (December 9 to 

the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

31, 1985) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

Geosat GM Cycle 13 - Ja n 1 to Ja n 23, 198 6 

30°N 30°N 

U o 

. o . -o ---- 

- 6 FC ----- 

0 , 33-JS'3' 

-- 

25°N a 

o a \ _, 

.. . ,s 

20 ° N ; _ -- 20°N 

-- 

----- ~ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-13 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 13 (January 1 to 23, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

Geosat GM Cycle 14 - Ja n 24 to F eb 15, 1 986 

30'N ~ _ . 30O N _o 

-- _ o 

------ 

- 0~~ o 

- °` ro 

\ _ 

0 ----_-~ - ,_ 0 ` 

--- '-- 

~° 25 * N 

30 p o ' -10, `tip 0 " -- 

--------- 

------- - 

; 

,__- 

----- 

0 ', o \ 

\1710 

o 

20 ° N k- 0 ~" - = - 20°N 

-{- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.2-14 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 14 (January 24 to February 15, 1986) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

O 

Geosat GM Cycle 15 - Fe b 16 to Mar 10, 1 986 

30°N 30°N 

~ 

-- -- 

-- 

O j Q 

25°N 

40 

J)~ 25°N - . ro, 20 o --_-4Q:- 

------- 

_ - 

--- ~ 3 

20 

- -"- - ~ 0 o 

~- 

o ---- . 

-- -- 

20 ° N 20°N 

_ . . -- 

initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-15 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 15 (February 16 to March 10, 1986) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 16 - M ar 11 to Apr 2, 1 986 

30°N --- 30°N 

- __ - - D v o 

. ~~ 

o 

25' N v 

, , 

"~=46 ;' 2 - ~ 25 N 

J - - 

0 `~o =ii'i', 

~_ 

_ / 

o 

- - 

\ `` __ O 0 

O ~ \ 

p 

--- 

r20 

O~ 

u 

v 

O O 

o ``~ , o

20 N o 20 N 

initial drifter location 

-=C= 

- 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-16 Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 16 (March 11 to April 2, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 17 - A pr 3 to A pr 25, 19 86 

30°N - - 

30°N , o~ 

_- o -- 

o 

o -= ~ -- v 

° 

_-ao~-_~4~- 

25 N "~~ ~ 

~& 25°N .O ~b 20 0 0 -1 Q ~a 

0 --- 

/ -- ~ ' 20o

N o 20 N o ' -- - o 

-+- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-17 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 17 (April 3 to 25, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
I 

N 

W 

Geosat G M Cycl e 18 - A pr 26 to May 18, 1986 

30°N 30°N 

) ) `~ o 

0 

01, ;. ----------- -- 

0 0 

25°N o ;o . 25oN 

r o 

~ 

-10 

-~ 

V 

~v o 

-- 

-- - tt'll b' 

O 

20 ° N - ~ -------- ° ~ 20 ° N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-18 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 18 (April 26 to May 18, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat GM Cycl e 19 - M ay 19 to Jun 10, 1986 

30°N 30°N 

0 0- 

---- 

J 

0 -- 

J r - ~ -- --_ v i 

1 - -- 

------ 0' _ _ Zo 

~ 25°N 

---- 

1` 

o~~ ''~. ~~ 25°N 

--- o 'YO jo _ 

o ~o 

-- 

, --- \r ..J . _ O I 

10-, ~70 

0 0 

c 20 ° N ~ 20 °N 

( v -}- initial drifter location 

i 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-19 . Sea surface 

for GEOSAT 

within five 

height anomaly with respect 

GM Cycle 19 (May 19 to June 

days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

10, 1986) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 20 - Ju n 11 to J ul 3, 198 6 

30°N 30°N 

~-- 

0 

__ o , 0 --- 

- o - ' 

25 ' N 25 N 

o o 

ti ~ 

~ v ~_ , 

. ~ ---=---- 

1 ~0 ~\L)\O ,~~ 0 

° r ° o ~ -- -- == 

. , 

o -" o 

O 

20 ° N 20 ° N 

o I I I 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-20 Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 20 (June 11 to July 3, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
I 

N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 21 - Ju l 4 to Jul 26, 198 6 

30°N v 30°N 

--  , . 

-- 

V _ 

25 * N // ° o 25 * N ti - 

C ~ > > - o _ ~ 0 1 0 

o 

--__ -_:~---- _ .s 

C -,,- 10", 

a 20 N --------- , 20 N 

--- --- -- - 

- 10 

-----___ ; + initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-21 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 21 (July 4 to 26, 1986) . Drifter locations within 

five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

N 

__7 

Geosat G M Cycl e 22 - Ju l 27 to A ug 18, 1986 

30ON 30'N 

-' 

((1 

~ 

__ 

- 0 

25°N 

10 ~ _ -_==_ _ 

25°N 

2 0 ~ o 

\ 

0 

v 79 > o -- 0 

-_ - ~ - ----- 

'-- 

-~2Q 

20°N -- 20°N 

---- ~ 

+ 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .2-22 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 22 (July 27 to August 18, 1986) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

W 

Geosat G M Cycl e 23 - A ug 19 to Sep 10, 1986 

30°N ~ 30°N 

--- 

~ c 

~O J r \\\~ O ' o _o 

25 * N _ -fo - 4 ~ 25 N 

O O __ 

o u 

1 0 no 

I ,O 

20 ° N _ ---~ 20 ° N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-23 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT GM Cycle 23 (August 19 to September 10, 1986) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat G M Cycl e 24 - Se p 10 to Sep 30, 1 986 

30°N ~ 30°N 

0 - ~ =1Q -- 

0 

ffc~ 

25 N = = --o * _____ - _ - == 25 N 

;.o . 

o 

20°N 20°N 

initial drifter location 

- 

950W 90 °W 

~ 

85°W 80°W 

Figure A .2-24 . Sea surface 

for GEOSAT 

within five 

height anomaly with respect 

GM Cycle 24 (September 10 to 

days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

30, 1986) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
A .3 Exact Repeat Mission Climatology 

A-31 
w 

N 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 1 - N ov 8 to N ov 24, 1 986 

30°N ~ 30°N - - 

, . _~ __ 

/ 10 

o 

~ --- --- 1 ^~ 

O` 

- ---- I 

-- __ ° p 

_, 

25' N a 25 * N 10 

ro " 

\ , ~ 6 - l , ; I \ 

10 -- v 

lam, 

20 ° N 20°N 

j0 ( ` 

initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-1 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 1 (November 8 to 24, 1986) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

w W 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 2 - N ov 25 to Dec 11, 1986 

30°N o ~ 30°N 

O 

-- -- -- --- - --- 

0 ~o 

° ~ / ~ 

o I 

25 N ~~ = 25 N I 

o _ 

_ 

o 

r 

a _ o 

~ 

3 379 

20°N , -_ 20°N 

~o U 

initial drifter location 

950W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-2 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 2 (November 25 to December 11, 1986) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
W 

Geosat ERM Cycle 3 - Dec 12 to Dec 28, 1986 

30°N ~~ 30°N 

''~ `° ~ ° o -~ 

25 * N 25 * N 

o - -- 

. o 

I 0 "70, 

i 

-1 0:- 

--- . / 

20°N 

, 20°N 

initial drifter location 

. . 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-3 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 3 (December 12 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

28, 1986) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
W 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 4 - D ec 29 to Jan 14, 1 987 

30°N - ~ .. 30°N 

~~ o 0 

° o 

~ o - 

' 

-- 

o`` ` 0 0 ~~o ,~o ~ - ~ _ . ro_ _ 

25°N 

\ ~ 

. t 

) 

; 

--_ - ~ 25°N 

° -- , J - ,' f ~/ o o ` -' o `I ' 

~I 

20 ° N 20°N 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-4 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 4 (December 29, 1986 to January 24, 1987) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
W 

Geosat ERM Cycle 5 - Jan 15 to Jan 31, 1987 

30°N =--- -~~ 30°N 

o~ 

~ o 

o ~ . ~ 

-- ---" 

I 25°N 

a l~ 

D 

0 o v~ o 

` ~ ` 

20 ° N -_- - ~ 20°N - - 

initial drifter locatio n 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-5 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 5 (January 15 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

31, 1987) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
i 

w 

J 

Geosat ERM Cycle 6 - Feb 1 to Feb 17, 19 87 

30°N ~ -_ -- ~ 30°N 

j ,` O 

- --- -- - 

_ , p --- 

0 

NA\ 0' ' f 

25' N 20 

\ ` ` , o 

25 N 

__ \ 3 ~ ~ 

p0; ~` O 

- Q 

,, 

2 

'--- 

D 79 

20 ° N - - 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-6 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 6 (February 1 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

17, 1987) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
I w 

00 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 7 - Fe b 18 to Mar 6, 19 87 

30°N = 30°N 

:. _ - -- o 

11 , ' I 

-- 

`~` `I ' ' j 0v 

'0 ~ 

' __ 

-- 

ra 

- 

25 0 N -- X5 25 ° N 21 ) 

3 v 

I ° -~ ~ ~ ~ -- `,yam 

U I 

u 

a ~ 

0` 

20°N o 20°N 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-7 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 7 (February 18 to March 6, 1987) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
W 

Geosat ERM Cycle 8 - M ar 7 to M ar 23, 1 987 

30°N -"- " 30°N 

'`° -- --- 

N, J 0 0 0 __ 

o 

25°N ( Q 

v j 

52 

~ I ,' o .fib.` 

_ 

I .. 

° 

O / 

20 N 20°N 

+ initial drifter location 

95°W 900W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-8 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 8 (March 7 to 23, 1987) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
0 

Geosat ERM Cycle 9 - Mar 24 to Apr 9, 1987 

30°N 30°N 

-_----- 

l . ~ 

, .- 

1 

25°N 25°N 

0 0 0~~ ~ ~ - - = ~~2 _ ._ 

`i 0 ~~ \~~ UI - 

O 

I 

- _ 

- ` . 

O 

20 ° N 20°N 

initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-9 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 9 (March 24 to April 9, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat ERM Cycle 10 - Apr 10 to Apr 26, 1987 

30'N 

J - 

30* N 

o o \ 

-- 

--- - >' ` v 

----- 0 

/ - 

~ ,., 25 * N 

/- o 

70 

i 

J 

o ro 

~,c IIA 

--- o -- 

20 ° N 20°N 

--~ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-10 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 10 (April 10 to 26, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 11 - Apr 27 to May 13 , 1987 

30°N ° ` 30°N 

o 

25°N 25°N 

01 O -- ~/ 

O ~ O 

-- - - 

- ~, ` 

33 ~ ~ , ~ . . =-  ., ~ . -. .S 

o 0 

20 ° N O 20°N 

-~ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-11 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 11 (April 27 to May 13, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
w 

Geosat ERM Cycle 12 - May 14 t o May 3 0, 1987 

30O N 

U 

30* N 

-- 

_ _ o 

-2 L p 

o, ; ..: 

O 

I 

IYO 

\ 

\ 

- 

' 

34 

O 

\\l~ 

p ' -10 --- ~~ - 

0 0 

- - -- - - l)J 

--- 0 

20 ° N ~ 20°N j 

-}- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-12 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 12 (May 14 to 30, 1987) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat ERM Cycle 13 - May 31 to Jun 16, 1987 

30°N 30°N 

`N1^` ° p 

---------- 

~ __- - 

---- 

_ - --~~ ~ 0 

-------- , . 

250 N ~~ ~1 25 e

o N O' ` A 

----- 0 1 'p' l 

O 

° ` ,~2qo~ r0 I 

o 

20 ° N "~ 20°N 

o/ -+- initial drifter location 

~ 1 I M ~ I 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-13 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 13 (May 31 to June 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

16, 1987) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
i 

Geosat ERM Cycle 14 - Jun 17 to Jul 3, 1987 

30°N 30°N _ 

U 

o U 

o - ~-- I 

o - o 

,T 

25°N 250 N 

2 N. 

---------- ~ Q o ., 

--- 

' 0 -- `~ , 

; , ~ ; 5 ~ \~ O I i 

20°N ~ 20°N 

-+- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-14 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 14 (June 17 to July 3, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Figure A .3-15 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 15 (July 4 to 20, 1987) . Stick plot format used 

because of data outages during this cycle . 
Figure A.3-16 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 16 (July 21 to August 6, 1987) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
00 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 17 - Aug 7 to Aug 23, 1987 

30°N 30°N 

0 ~I O 

-- - - 0 - ~ ~ - "=-- 

-10- CV, 

I o', 

25°N 1o \

30 25°N 

----- 

- ------------ ----- 

, O O 11111 

U 

o 

20 ° N , , ~ o 20 ° N 

- - 

-~-- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A.3-17 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 17 (August 7 to 23, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 18 - Aug 24 t o Sep 9, 1987 

30°N ---- 30°N 

\0, 

_---- O ~ 

J, - o 

-- 

O 0 0 

, ~l o ff.- ~~ 70 

25

o

N ~- o 

o 

25o N 

------------ 

0 -- 

~-- o 

(~f ~ ) I ~- 

20°N 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-18 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 18 (August 24 to September 9, 1987) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 0 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 19 - Sep 10 to Sep 26, 1987 

I 

30°N 30°N 

I ~- ° o ~-- 

- 

~ 

v 

v 

--- __ ~ 

w 

'--- O 

w~ 

~ '- 

\i 

~i 

=.\J ~~, l~O O~~ O , '- 

o 

v 

25 N ~ ~,0 25o N 

v 01 . 0 

;- 

-- -- 

. . 

20°N 20°N 

o 

-{- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-19 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 19 (September 10 to 26, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat E RM Cyc le 20 - Sep 27 to Oct 13, 1987 

30°N ~ 0 30°N 

o U~~ o 

`° --= ~ o O 

_ ~- 

25 * N ~ 25 * N 

Zoo, --- 

_, - -- o o --==- 

- 

=_ 

Q o ; ~o ~\\ 

~ J o =" 'o 

~oj o ~ 

- 

o~ ~- 

20 °N -- 20 ° N 

-+- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-20 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 20 (September 27 to October 13, 1987) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

LTI 

N 

Geosat ERM Cyc le 21 - Oct 14 to Oct 30, 1987 

30°N _ _ 30°N 

-- 

o 

,_ _------ 

- -- - ___ -~ ,_ . -- - _ ~ o 

25°N i 

~ 

l 25°N 

I p 

., . - 

o - - _ 

i 

O 

20 oN 20 ° N 

initial drifter location 

- ~ ~ - 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-21 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 21 (October 14 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

30, 1987) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
w 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 22 - Oct 31 to Nov 16, 1987 

30°N 30°N 

e vo ~ ~ o ro 

--- ~ - _ _--- .o 

25°N 

'11 25°N 

0 '10 ;0,, " - II ;~d3d ; o 

o - o; -- 

10, 

\ r l V 

0 

J 

0 

20°N 20 ° N 

a I I I 

-}- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-22 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 22 (October 31 to November 16, 1987) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat E RM Cyc le 23 - Nov 17 t o Dec 3, 1987 

30°N ., 30°N 

--- "o ~ o 

0 

~ 0 ,o - ' ```°` = `r~` ==~ ~ =- 0'0 v -- - - _ 2 o 

25 ' N 25 * N 

tYL J'Y 

V 1 

O 

. 

_ o p' O o 

-- 

o / 

20 °N 20 ° N 

-~ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-23 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 23 (November 17 to December 3, 1987) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
LTI 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 24 - Dec 4 to Dec 20, 1987 

30°N 30°N 

;moo,- 

- 

-- 

--- ~ ------ - ~ -- ` : -- o (- 

-- ------- 

° -- ~ 3344 I - 

25 * N 

' 

25 oN 

- -- 

v 

- _O iv/ _ ---- - - 0 --- 

r O 

0 0 

-- `` , o 0 

~- .- ---- o 

20°N 

-___ - 20°N 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-24 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 24 (December 4 to 20, 1987) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat E RM Cyc le 25 - Dec 21, 1 987 to J an 6, 198 8 

30°N - =_- _ - r 30°N 

U o ,--- 

i ---- o 

-- 

0 0 

25' N - , . J ,~o., > . o -- ~ 25 0 N 

170 

O 

v v ~ 

~-- 

o J ~ o v 

r 

o -" 

20

o

N 

a 

---- 20 N 

J ~ ' initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-25 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 25 (December 21, 1987 

locations within five days of the midpoint 

mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

to January 6, 1988) . Drifter 

of the cycle are shown . 
LrI 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 26 - J an 7 to J an 23, 1 988 

30°N 30°N 

o 

-- 

o 

--, ~ 

o 

25 r 25 * N 

0 o 

o 

--- f V 

0 

\ 

u 

r 

20°N ~ - ` 20°N 

- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-26 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 26 (January 7 to 23, 1988) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
I 

00 

Geosat ERM Cycle 27 - J an 24 to Feb 9, 1 988 

30°N - - U - 

30°N 

,~o o 

o 

o -- 

-- 

25°N 

_ . _ o . -r- - 

0 ,~O ^ o ;o .1\\~- _ 

_, o , __ ,,o o ~ .- 

-- 0 - . o 

-- - 

20°N 

~ 

' 

20°N 

o 

\ ,1 ` '` initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-27 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 27 (January 24 to February 9, 1988) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat E RM Cyc le 28 - Feb 10 to Feb 26, 1988 

30°N 30°N 

J 

o _ 

'~~-- 

~ ~ 

25°N o, " ~o ~ ?o ~ ~~ 250 N 

-- ,-o --- = ~o 2 0 1 

0 0 

- 

0 

__ o 

_, o . . ... 

o 

20°N ~~-- 20°N 

o 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-28 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 28 (February 10 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

26, 1988) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
Geosat ERM Cyc le 29 - F eb 27 to Mar 14, 1988 

30*N 30ON 

)01 

-20 

F 

, 

01~ 

25*N 

--0 

25*N 

A 

Cj 

20 * N 20*N 

+ i niti, -a drifter location 

i 

95'W 90*W 850W 80*W 

Figure A .3-29 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 29 (February 27 to March 14, 1988) . 
N 

Figure A .3-30 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 30 (March 15 to 31, 1988) . Stick plot format used 

because of data outages during this cycle . 
N 

Geosat ERM Cycle 31 - Apr 1 to Apr 17, 1988 

_. . .m 

30°N 30°N 

i 

r 

Z 

25°N ~ . 

p , . . 

25°N 

- ~ ` 

~a ! 

~ 

L 

r ` ~sf 

Scale 

20 ° N , - --~ 20 * N 

r ( -50 cm +50 cm 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-31 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 31 (April 1 to 17, 1988) . Stick plot format used 

because of data outages during this cycle . 
i W 

Geosat ERM Cycle 32 - Apr 18 to May 4, 1988 

30°N 30°N 

--- ) o , 

0 AN - ",

25°N ~ ° 25°N 

o 2 0 0 -- 

. . . .. . . . , 

------- ------- o 

20°N 0 20°N 

- initial drifter location 

. . 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-32 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 32 (April 18 to May 4, 1988) . 
i 

Geosat ERM Cycle 33 - May 5 to May 21, 1988 

30*N 

-- 

-- -- 

30'N 

. -- - ~ 

\' --- ~ o o 

o ` 

0 

--- 

0 o o 

j t 

25 ' N 

A (~n' 

r 

. , r?; 

-_ 

~ 25°N 

10 0 -- 

'70 

- 

o , 

U ~o 

o 

20 ° N -- o , J / 20°N 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-33 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 33 (May 5 to 21, 1988) . Drifter locations within 

five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
LrI 

Figure A .3-34 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 34 (May 22 to June 7, 1988) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
Figure A .3-35 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 35 (June 8 to 24, 1988) . Stick plot format used 

because of data outages during this cycle . 
i 

Figure A .3-36 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 36 (June 25 to July 11, 1988) . 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 

surface (OSUMSS95) 

Stick plot format 
i 

00 

Geosat ERM Cycle 37 - Jul 12 to Jul 28, 1988 

30°N 

- 

30°N 

-- --- 

-- 

-------- --- - ------ --- 

o 

o -"o 

10 

25 * N * 

~ 

25 N 

0, ; o ro- ~o; , , 

-- 

o a O 

o 

O 0 o 

_- o n 

------ 

20°N 20°N 

0 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-37 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 37 (July 12 to 28, 1988) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
~o 

Geosat E RM Cyc le 38 - J ul 29 to Aug 14, 1988 

30°N 30°N 

~J ` ~~~~ I 

o `o ; , ,'~11 ,go , ~o` 20 

25°N Y ' 25 ° N 

-- 

_ _ i 

~ 

O ~r0 : - p 0 / ` ~ r

v 

--- 

20 ° N __ 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-38 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 38 (July 29 to August 14, 1988) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
0 

Geosat ERM Cycle 39 - Aug 15 t o Aug 31 , 1988 

30°N == _ 30°N 

o o. 

1oJ ' -- -_ 

0 0 _ 

25'N 25*N 

o,- ~o ` _ :~° - I 

o - 

O 

0 

0 20o 20 N N 

+ initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-39 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 39 (August 15 to 31, 1988) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat ERM Cycle 40 - S ep 1 to Sep 17, 1 988 

I 

30°N - 30°N 

o 

0 0 ~ o 

-- O _' . 10 ~ ~O 

25' N ; 25 N '_ ' ' o ' ' `` ` 

- ---- - 

Otx 

. 

0 

. 

v 

- 

o ~, 

0 

20 ° N -- ° -~ ` 2 0 °N 

. ~ + initial drifter location 

I I -~ I I ~ t 

. . 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-40 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 40 (September 1 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

17, 1988) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
N 

Geosat ERM Cycle 41 - S ep 18 to Oct 4, 1 988 

30°N 30°N 

o 

~J -- 

--- 

25°N 25°N 

0 U 

v ° o AO 

O 

20 ° N - 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 900W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-41 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 41 (September 18 to October 4, 1988) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

w 

Geosat ERM Cycle 42 - Oct 5 to Oct 21, 1 988 

30O N 30* N 

_ o - 

o ~- 

`- o o 

_ _ ,,,~, ``~ O 

25°N 

, ` \ 

4 25°N 

v ~ 

~ 

J v 

O p ------- / 

O 

p o 

0 - 

/ 

-- ~`` - 

- 

- ----------- 0 ' 

N-1 I JEW, 

20 ° N o 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A.3-42 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 42 (October 5 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

21, 1988) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
Geosat ERM Cycle 43 - Oct 22 to Nov 7, 1988 

30°N ~ 30°N 

o 

~ 

_ - -- 

o 

r 

O 

~ 

-- 

- ~--- 

o o 

_ ~~4Q -_= =~4:~9. 

25°N 

~~ ~ ; 

25°N 

C6 ~ =:2~=== ~ ~ 1 , . o o -- o 

( 

v / ) 

_ jo p 

~ i I ~l (~ 

70 _ 

_ . o . o 

--- - ~ o 

-o ` , .S 

o 

o 

~ 

20 ° N - ~ ° 20°N 

initial drifter location 

~ I I 

95°W 900W 

M 

85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-43 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 43 (October 22 to November 7, 1988) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

Geosat ERM Cycle 44 - Nov 8 to Nov 24, 1988 

30°N 30°N 

o 

0 0 

o - ~ - ~, 0 ,`` o 

O 

-- n, 

25°N 

'j ~`~~ 

, 

-If 

25°N 

O ~ - _ 0 11 _ - 

~ ` 

o ,, 

- 

-- 0 

: ., 

o _ ,o 

~20 1o 

I 

J 

--- 

20°N ~ 

o 

0 20°N 

initial drifter location 

. . 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-44 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 44 (November 8 to 24, 1988) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

Geosat ERM Cycle 45 - Nov 25 to Dec 11, 1988 

30°N -;- --- 

30°N 

-- 

. _ I 

0 - 

~ 

0 

~ ' O o I~ o 

' -1 _ --' '° cL _ 

25°N ~ ~-- ;r~ ~~' ` -- 25°N 

-.0 0 ---- 

- ~ ~ 

---- 

- ~--------- ~ 

2 0 

10 

1 / o --' 

__-- 

0 0 ~° ~ -- 

o 

----- 

20 ° N ------- 20'N 

-' -~- initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-45 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 45 (November 25 to December 11, 1988) . Drifter 

locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
J 

Geosat ERM Cycle 46 - Dec 12 to Dec 28, 1988 

30°N 

~ 

- 

- -- 

v 30°N 

. - 

0 

~ o 

-- ~i o 

Yom' o 

I o =_ :~ -- -- 

~ ------ 

_ 

- ~ _ o I 

i- o 

.- -~ 

25°N - - - - -- 25°N 

- i ~ 14 

p o p ov 

1 

O 

20 * N - -~ -- 20 * N 

r 

- initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-46 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 46 (December 12 to 28, 1988) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
i 

00 

Geosat ERM Cycle 47 - Dec 29, 1988 to Jan 14, 19 89 

30°N . _ 30°N 

----- - -~ ~~; _ 

i -, 

` ~ 

0 

-----' 

0 

---------- -- 

- --------- -- 

25*N 

-- 

25'N 

3 

0 , , - \ o; , 

v =to- -- 

20 ° N ~-- ~ 20°N -- 

" + initial drifter location 

I 

~ ~ . . 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-47 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 47 (December 29, 1988 to January 14, 1989) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
Geosat ERM Cyc le 48 - J an 15 to Jan 31, 1 989 

30°N - . - ~ 30°N 

-- 

O '`~r~~ o~> o', . U ~ I 

., 

u 0 

-- 

0 ~ v 

J 

I- lo 

-`b 

25' N 

- 25°N 

U ' 20 l 

1 _ 

20 ° N _ V 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-48 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 48 (January 15 to 

within five days of the midpoint of the 

to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

31, 1989) . Drifter locations 

cycle are shown . 
i 

00 

0 

Geosat ERM Cycle 49 - Feb 1 to Feb 17, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

O 

o 

b 

25°N y 25 N 

- ----- ---- --- 

o 

N IO ~ I low, 

20°N 20°N 

+ 

initial drifter location 

I 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-49 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 49 (February 1 to 17, 1989) . Drifter locations 

within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
00 

Geosat ERM Cycle 50 - Feb 18 to Mar 6, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

---- 

_ - - ,, 

o o 

u 

25 * N -20 

~ 

- 

U 

. ~J \ 

--- ' , 

_ o o ._ 

O 

o 

10 a 

o ~O ~ ~ 

~ 

------ ~ -- I 20 N --- 20 O N 

v 

-~- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-50 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 50 (February 18 to March 6, 1989) . Drifter locations within five days of the midpoint of the cycle are shown . 
00 

N 

Figure A .3-51 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 51 (March 7 to 23, 1989) . Stick plot format used 

because of data outages during this cycle . 
00 

w 

Figure A .3-52 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 52 (March 24 to April 9, 1989) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
Geosat ERM Cycle 53 - Apr 10 to Apr 26, 1989 

30°N ~ - 

---- 

30°N 

o 

--- - ------- -- 0 

,gyp ~ 0 0 

0 

25 0 N 25 * N 

____ '°' -J - 

- 

10 

LC 

o 

'I 

20 ° N 20ON 

I I I 

O 

+ 

initial drifter location I 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-53 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 53 (April 10 to 26, 1989) . 
00 

Figure A .3-54 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 54 (April 27 to May 13, 1989) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
Geosat ERM Cycle 55 - May 14 to May 30, 1989 

30°N ~ 30°N 

., 

--------°_- ---_- --- ~ 'ro' 

o 

1U ~1~ - 1 ~1' o 

-- ° 25 N 

J . - -- 

__- o 

-- 

D `` ~ 'S 

i 

20 ° N --- 20°N 

initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A.3-55 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 55 (May 14 to 30, 1989) . 
i 

-_7 

Geosat ERM Cycle 56 - May 31 to Jun 16, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

=- -------- - --- -- 

0- 0 

"~' lO _ 0 

25°N ` =-- -~0 25°N 

--__ . 

- - -~ .10 1 II 

- 

-- - - ------ - 

--------- -- 

I 

0 

` 

. 

-- \ 0 _- - 

20 ° N ' o "~- -- 20°N 

- initial drifter location 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-56 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 56 (May 31 to June 16, 1989) . 
00 00 

Geosat ERM Cyc le 57 - Jun 17 to Jul 3, 19 89 

30O N 30'N 

- 

. . 

---- - ° 

`o.- 

--- 

_o: 

Q ~Mffi 

14 

P=r-M v u 

25 ' N 

1 

. . o ~ 

U o ==- c 

20°N _ 20 ° N 

--~ initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-57 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 57 (June 17 to July 3, 1989) . 
i 

Geosat ERM Cycle 58 - Jul 4 to Jul 20, 1989 

30ON 30'N 

0 

- ---------- IC 

70 

0 

25*N 25*N 

CO, 

13 y 

0 

low0 

20 ' N . . . . . . 20*N 

. . 

. 

i n itial drifter location 

I I 

95'W 90'W 

- -- 

850W 80*W 

Figure A .3-58 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 58 (July 4 to 20, 1989) . 
i 

0 

Geosat ERM Cycle 59 - Jul 21 to Aug 6, 1989 

30°N `J 30°N 

o ~ o 

-- 

_" 

_= ; = P ~J ; ~ , ` ~b o 0 0 

11-~ 1, U 

25°N Ao~ -- ~ 25 * N ~b 

., . . - 

o, 70 

~ D y 

V y 

L 

-10 ' 

- - 

----- 

O 

20°N 'o . 20°N 

o +i 

i i 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 850W 80°W 

Figure A .3-59 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 59 (July 21 to August 6, 1989) . 
Geosat E RM Cyc le 60 - Aug 7 to Aug 23, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

: 

o 

~ 

_ . 

-- 

. ~o 

~ 

v 

Qo~ 

~~n 

p 

D 

o 

l:- :;o ' D o . o __ _ . . 

0 

I '\ 

\ 

b 

\ 

25 N * 

,O 

25 N 

o ;' '2 - $ ~; ;; 2 

o __ 

0~ \ ; \ v / 

= 

j O o 

1 

O 1 ; 

-------- ~ 

20°N ---o---- -- 20°N 

initial drifter location 

95°W 90 °W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-60 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 60 (August 7 to 23, 1989) . 
N 

Geosat ERM Cycle 61 - Aug 24 to Sep 9, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

o ._ . o J 

o 

-i o 

° 

~ ti°~ -- Q 

o 

° - " 

-- ~2 ~ ~ III"'Ir 

--=--- 

r 

-- 01 1 D 

25°N 25°N 

-- 

~ v ~ 

0 ( O, 

, 

0 oq 

1 , 

\, 

\ 

O ' 

'° 10 

20 ° N v 20°N 

- initial drifter location 

950W 90°W 85°W 80°W 

Figure A .3-61 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 61 (August 24 to September 9, 1989) . 
w 

Geosat ERM Cycle 62 - Sep 10 to Sep 26, 1989 

30°N 30°N 

~ ` --- 'o 

-- 

o 

- o 

--- 

v . _ro II- moo- ( ( 7 25°N 

-- -' J~0 

-- j 20 ~ - / 

O - I ~ .~/ I I I / 1 / ~~ 

° 20 N 20ON ' , 

- 

-~ 

I 

initial drifI er location 

95°W 90°W 85°W 

. . 

80°W 

Figure A.3-62 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 62 (September 10 to 26, 1989) . 
Figure A .3-63 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 63 (September 27 to October 3, 1989) . Stick plot 

format used because of data outages during this cycle . 
Figure A .3-64 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 64 (October 4 to 30, 1989) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
a) 

Figure A .3-65 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 65 (October 31 to November 16, 1989) . Stick plot 

format used because of data outages during this cycle . 
i 

Figure A.3-66 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 66 (November 17 to December 3, 1989) . Stick plot 

format used because of data outages during this cycle . 
00 

Figure A .3-67 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 67 (December 4 to 20, 1989) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
Figure A .3-68 . Sea surface height anomaly with respect to mean sea surface (OSUMSS95) 

for GEOSAT ERM Cycle 68 (December 21 to 31, 1989) . Stick plot format 

used because of data outages during this cycle . 
A.4 Annual and Seasonal Sea Surface Height Variability 

A-101 
0 

N 

Figure A .4-1 . RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean (OSUMSS95) 

measured by GEOSAT during 1985 . (No data collected prior to March 30, 

1985) . 
0 

w 

Figure A.4-2 . RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean (OSUMSS95) 

measured by GEOSAT during 1986 . 
i 

0 

Figure A .4-3 . RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean (OSUMSS95) 

measured by GEOSAT during 1987 . 
N 

0 

Lri 

Figure A .4-4 . RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean (OSUMSS95) 

measured by GEOSAT during 1988 . 
0 

Figure A .4-5 . RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean (OSUMSS95) 

measured by GEOSAT during 1989 . 
N 

0 

Figure A .4-6 . Seasonal RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean 

(OSUMSS95) measured by GEOSAT during Winter (January, February and 

March) from 1986 to 1989 . 
0 

00 

Figure A .4-7 . Seasonal RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean 

(OSUMSS95) measured by GEOSAT during Spring (April, May and June) 

from 1985 to 1989 . 
N 

0 

Figure A .4-8 . Seasonal RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean 

(OSUMSS95) measured by GEOSAT during Summer (July, August and September) from 1985 to 1989 . 
N 

0 

Figure A .4-9 . Seasonal RMS of sea surface height anomaly with respect to the mean 

(OSUMSS95) measured by GEOSAT during Fall (October, November and 

December) from 1985 to 1989 . 
A.5 Annual and Seasonal Geostrophic Velocity Variability 

A-111 
i 

N 

N 

Figure A.5-1 . 1985 RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated using GEOSAT altimeter 

data . 
w 

Figure A .5-2 . 1986 RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated using GEOSAT altimeter 

data . 
i N N 

Figure A .5-3 . 1987 RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated using GEOSAT altimeter 

data . 
LrI 

Figure A .5-4 . 1988 RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated using GEOSAT altimeter 

data . 
N 

Figure A .5-5 . 1989 RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated using GEOSAT altimeter 

data . 
i 

N 

Figure A .5-6 . Seasonal RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated from GEOSAT altimeter 

data during Winter (January, February and March) 1986 to 1989 . 
i 

Figure A .5-7 . Seasonal RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated from GEOSAT altimeter 

data during Spring (April, May and June) 1985 to 1989 . 
N 

Figure A .5-8 . Seasonal RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated from GEOSAT altimeter 

data during Summer (July, August and September) 1985 to 1989 . 
N 

O 

Figure A .5-9 . Seasonal RMS geostrophic velocity anomaly estimated from GEOSAT altimeter 

data during Fall (October, November and December) 1985 to 1989 . 
Appendix B - Gulf of Mexico Significant Wave Height 

Climatology Derived from GEOSAT 

Altimeter Data 

B-1 
B .1 Introduction 

Maps of the annual and seasonal mean significant wave heights 

as measured by GEOSAT are presented in this appendix . Data 

processing, editing and presentation have been described in 

Section 3 .4 .3 of this report . Maps of the 1985 to 1989 annual 

means are presented in Appendix B .2 . Maps of the seasonal 

means over the GEOSAT time period are presented in Appendix 

B .3 . 

B-3 
B .2 Annual Means 

B-5 
bd 

1985 Me an Significant W ave Heig ht Geosat 

cm 

185 

30°N 

170 

1 

r 

o 

° 155 

8 

° 

~2 ~~O ,4 ` l 40 

l~ ' ' o ~ ~so 

f 

25 N o ~ ~ ; 

~ 2° v ' 140 Q 

r 1 ~rp ~ 

r is 

1 0 

v I ~ 

moo.\~ 

o ~ 2~ 0 125 

N 1 , 

° 110 20 N o 

I 

95 

95°W 90°W 850W 80°W 

Figure B .2-1 . Mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during 1985 . (No data 

collected prior to March 30, 1985) . 
bd 

Figure B .2-2 . Mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during 1986 . 
00 

Figure B .2-3 . Mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during 1987 . 
bd 

Figure B .2-4 . Mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during 1988 . 
bd 

0 

Figure B .2-5 . Mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during 1989 . 
B .3 Seasonal Means 

B-11 
bd 

N 

Figure B .3-1 . Seasonal mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during Winter 

(January, February and March) from 1986 to 1989 . 
b7 

N 

w 

Figure B .3-2 . Seasonal mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during Spring 

(April, May and June) from 1985 to 1989 . 
bd 

N 

Figure B .3-3 . Seasonal mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during Summer 

(July, August and September) from 1985 to 1989 . 
bd 

Figure B .3-4 . Seasonal mean significant wave height measured by GEOSAT during Fall 

(October, November and December) from 1985 to 1989 . 
Appendix C - Gulf of Mexico Wind Speed Climatology 

Derived from GEOSAT Altimeter Data 

C-1 
C .1 Introduction 

Maps of the annual and seasonal mean wind speed at 10 meters 

above the ocean surface are presented in this appendix . The 

wind speed estimate was derived from GEOSAT altimeter data . 

Data processing, editing and presentation have been described 

in Section 3 .4 .4 of this report . Maps of the 1985 to 1989 

annual means are presented in Appendix C .2 . Maps of the 

seasonal means over the GEOSAT time period are presented in 

Appendix C .3 . 

C-3 
C .2 Annual Means 

C-5 
Figure C .2-1 . Mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during 1985 . (No data collected prior 

to March 30, 1985) . 
n 

Figure C .2-2 . Mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during 1986 . 
00 

Figure C .2-3 . Mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during 1987 . 
n 

Figure C .2-4 . Mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during 1988 . 
n 

0 

Figure C .2-5 . Mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during 1989 . 
C .3 Seasonal Means 

C-11 
n 

N 

Figure C .3-1 . Seasonal mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during Winter (January, 

February and March) from 1986 to 1989 . 
w 

Figure C .3-2 . Seasonal mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during Spring (April, May 

and June) from 1985 to 1989 . 
Figure C .3-3 . Seasonal mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during Summer (July, August 

and September) from 1985 to 1989 . 
n 

Figure C .3-4 . Seasonal mean wind speed measured by GEOSAT during Fall (October, 

November and December) from 1985 to 1989 . 
~~,fNT OF Ty The Department of the Interior Mission QPQ ~' 

Z 

o `' p As the Nation ' s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for 

A most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use 

of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity ; preserving the 

_ a9 

4 e 

environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the 

RCH 3 ~ enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation . The Department assesses our energy and mineral 

resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by 

encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major 

responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories 

under U.S . administration . 

The Minerals Management Service Mission 

°a.'Ae 

As a bureau of the Department of the Interior, the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) primary 

responsibilities are to manage the mineral resources located on the Nation's Outer Continental Shelf 

(OCS), collect revenue from the Federal OCS and onshore Federal and Indian lands, and distribute 

those revenues . 

~~4' ~Mqh~Ewf3' ~~ Moreover, in working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program 

administers the OCS competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally sound 

exploration and production of our Nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral resources. The 

MMS Royalty Management Program meets its responsibilities by ensuring the efficient, timely and 

accurate collection and disbursement of revenue from mineral leasing and production due to Indian 

tribes and allottees, States and the U.S . Treasury. 

The MMS strives to fulfill its responsibilities through the general guiding principles of: (1) being 

responsive to the public's concerns and interests by maintaining a dialogue with all potentially affected 

parties and (2) carrying out its programs with an emphasis on working to enhance the quality of life for 

all Americans by lending MMS assistance and expertise to economic development and environmental 

protection.