Back to slide index
Previous | Next
Back to introduction

Mediterranean Sea, Almeria-Oran Front

15. Mediterranean Sea, Almeria-Oran Front

Integration of remote observations from both satellites and shuttle, together with surface observations involving aircraft and ships, has produced a great deal of new oceanographic information. A major ocean front in the Mediterranean Sea is just one recent discovery. This semipermanent ocean front, which stretches from Almeria on the Spanish coast to Oran on the Algerian coast, has been observed both by the NOAA weather satellite and by shuttle crews. Results from a 1-year study of the front suggest the system is a salinity-driven current with associated parameters extending down 200 meters. A better understanding of the reasons for the location of this front will make a critical contribution to our understanding of regional circulation and may better explain the dynamics of the shear zones producing spiral eddies seen in this region.

NOAA-9, October 8, 1984. #AVHRR Band 4

Right click here to download a high-resolution version of the image (6.62 MB)


Back to slide index
Previous | Next
Back to introduction