"Subsurface circulation and mesoscale variability in the Algerian subbasin from altimeter-derived eddy trajectories" by R. Escudier et al. published in Journal Geophysical Research - Oceans

R. Escudier in collaboration with B. Mourre, M. Juza and J. Tintoré from SOCIB, recently published a new study entitlled “Subsurface circulation and mesoscale variability in the Algerian subbasin from altimeter-derived eddy trajectories”. This article presents a statistical study of the propagation of mesoscale eddies in the Algerian subbasin from an analysis of satellite altimeter data over the last 22 years. Algerian eddy trajectories form two subbasin scale anticlockwise gyres that coincide with the two Algerian gyres which were described in the literature as the barotropic circulation in the area. This suggests that sea surface observations from altimetry might provide information on subsurface currents and their variability through the study of the propagation of deep mesoscale eddies in semienclosed seas. The analysis of sea level anomalies along the mean Algerian eddy pathways reveals three preferred areas of formation. Eddies are usually formed at a specific time of the year in these areas, with a significant interannual variability.

This article is a contribution to the Medclic project between “la Caixa” Foundation and SOCIB.