In order to better understand the complex current fields expected in the coastal ocean, we have acquired a SeaSonde system for mapping of ocean surface currents, and have begun to collect current measurements both with this system and with conventional instrumentation. An example is shown below.
Depth contours are in meters.
The physical principle used in producing the maps is sketched here . We have conducted several tests of commercial systems that use this principle to map ocean currents. During one of these tests, we captured the initial spin-up of a coastal upwelling jet along the Oregon coast. The results have been published in a recent paper. We presently have systems installed on the Oregon coast, near Newport and Waldport, and are operating them in a test mode.