Variability of Oceanographic Conditions Between Ocean Station P and Swiftsure Bank off the Pacific Coast of Canada

Abstract

Oceanographic observations taken along the line between Ocean Station P (50°N, 145°W) and Swiftsure Bank (48°32′N, 125°00′W) from January 1959 through January 1962 showed that the annual variation of temperature was determined primarily by the heat exchange across the surface and only secondarily by currents. Salinity variations were related to freshwater runoff from land and the component of Ekman transport normal to the coast. Variations of depths of isopycnal surfaces appeared to be related to the curl of wind stress, except near the coast. However, the observed vertical movement of isopycnal surfaces was much larger than that calculated from the wind stress. Near the coast, the vertical movement was related to the component of Ekman transport normal to the coast.The average total transport through the section, as calculated from the curl of the wind stress, was 5.8 million metric tons per second and was directed northward. The average baroclinic flow was 13 million metric tons per second. These transports were consistent if the mean depth of no motion was at 1400 m with southward flow in the bottom portion.