An investigation into flow dynamics around Cross Seamount, Hawaii
Seamounts are topographically and biologically significant areas, especially in open ocean environments. This proposed study aims to enhance our understanding of circulation and current dynamics around Cross Seamount in Hawaii by means of ADCP surveys combined with temperature, salinity and depth profiles, generated using the tow-yo method. The study will concentrate on detecting and quantifying any flow features (such as Taylor caps, their precursor eddies and mixing) which may be present at Cross Seamount. The presence of a Taylor cap or anticyclonic/cyclonic vortices at Cross may lead to the formation of chemically and physically different vortex-entrained water masses.
Understanding and quantifying specific flow features such as these at Cross Seamount will aid in improving our understanding of biological, physical and chemical processes occurring in the area; all of which may be influenced or affected by these flow features.