ROFFS™ - schaudt.us OCEANOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
For Eddy Monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico

Although we are having a difficult time with cloud cover in this area since early this morning, we are able to provide this analysis using a combination of high resolution infrared satellite and MODIS chlorophyll satellite data from yesterday morning though to late last night. We have shown the seismic study work site in pink, the observed direction of surface currents in blue, sea surface temperatures in light blue without highlights, the various real time buoy data sets are shown with purple and light green arrows, and water mass boundary zones are shown in black. Arrows showing the direction of flow of the surface currents indicate current direction only. There is no association between arrow length and current speed.

Overall, we continue to observe a large counter clockwise rotating eddy feature, centered between 60-70 miles east of the east corner of the work study area near 90°45’W & 27°00’N, that continues to pull large amounts of water in a south southeastern direction along the eastern edge of the work study area. As this eddy continues to drift slowly westward, the south southwest pull of water will continue to increase within the work study area over the next 1-2 weeks. In the southern corner of the work study area, we are able to observe another smaller counter clockwise eddy feature centered near 92°30’W & 26°25’N, that continues to pull warmer filaments of blue 74.8°F-75.0°F water north northwestward through the majority of the work study area. However, we expect that the effects that this smaller eddy has on the direction of flow of the currents within the work area will eventually be overtaken by the effects of the larger eddy east of the area. West of the work study area, we continue to monitor another smaller counter clockwise rotating eddy feature centered near 94°00’W & 26°40’N. Although this eddy remains west of this area, it appears to be moving slowly in an eastward direction and will continue to pull water northward through the western edge of the seismic work study area.

Formally, this analysis is updated Mon/Wed/Fri. We will continue to monitor these conditions daily and report any immediate change in circulation that will effect the work site. Intermediate updates are issued when the situation warrants and if information is available.