Loop Current and Eddy Circulation Studies
P.I: Prof Nan Walker
The Gulf of Mexico Loop Current is one of the most dynamic ocean currents in the world. Walker and staff have developed specialized image processing techniques that provide better and more frequent SST retrievals in the Gulf to monitor these currents. Gulf currents are known to impact hurricanes.
The Loop Current and the warm-core eddies that separate from it are large reservoirs of heat that have the capability to intensify hurricanes and tropical storms crossing the Gulf. Conversely, Walker’s research has shown that cold-core eddies, which are regions of vigorous upwelling become energized by hurricane winds. In extreme cases, the cold water that is rapidly upwelled from ~60 m depth can immediately weaken hurricanes by cutting off their energy before landfall. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, our SST tracking capabilities led to the discovery of eddy merging along the Loop Current margin, an event that significantly changed oil spill motion.
The Loop Current and the warm-core eddies that separate from it are large reservoirs of heat that have the capability to intensify hurricanes and tropical storms crossing the Gulf. Conversely, Walker’s research has shown that cold-core eddies, which are regions of vigorous upwelling become energized by hurricane winds. In extreme cases, the cold water that is rapidly upwelled from ~60 m depth can immediately weaken hurricanes by cutting off their energy before landfall. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, our SST tracking capabilities led to the discovery of eddy merging along the Loop Current margin, an event that significantly changed oil spill motion.
Loop Current and Eddy Circulation Studies Publications
- Impacts of Loop Current Frontal Cyclonic Eddies and Wind Forcing on the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Nan Walker et al, January 2011. - High Frequency Satellite Surveillance of Gulf of Mexico Loop Current Frontal Eddy Cyclones
Nan Walker et al, October 2009. - Wind- and Eddy-Related Shelf/Slope Circulation Processes and Coastal Upwelling in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Nan Walker et al, January 2005. - Hurricane-forced Upwelling and Chlorophyll a Enhancement within Cold-core Cyclones in the Gulf of Mexico
Nan Walker et al, January 2005. - Warm-core eddy discovered in the Gulf of Mexico
Nan Walker et al, July 1993. - Winter cycle of sea surface thermal patterns, northeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Oscar Huh (1935-2013) et al, September 1981. - Intrusion of Loop Current water onto the continental shelf, northeastern Gulf of Mexico
Oscar Huh (1935-2013) et al, May 1981.
Image Archives of Interest
- Gulf of Mexico GOES SST/SSH image archive
- Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System AHVRR SST image archive
