On the Longshelf Structure and Dynamics of Subtidal Currents on the Eastern United States Continental Shelf

Strong correlations were observed among subtidal longshelf currents from the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) to the Georges Bank region, a distance spanning 615 km. The longshelf current consisted predominantly of wind-forced motions and freely propagating events, which together accounted for 75%–90% of the longshelf current energy. Much stronger longshelf currents were observed in the MAB than on Georges Bank. The MAB/Georges Bank energy ratio for wind-forced currents on the 60 m isobath was 20. The ratio for freely propagating events was 3. The magnitudes of many of the terms in the vertically integrated wind-driven momentum equations were estimated from observations of current, pressure and surface stress, and from calculations of bottom stress. The cross-shelf momentum balance was geostrophic. Surface and bottom stress, the longshelf pressure gradient, and the Coriolis force on the cross-shelf flow were important terms in the longshelf momentum balance. An analytic model of wind-forced current, which incorporates the significant force balances, accounted for the observed longshelf variation of the wind-forced currents. Average bottom-drag and bottom-resistance coefficients estimated from current and bottom-stress records range from 4–8 (× 10−3) and 0.07–0.20 cm s−1, respectively.