Circulation And Water Property Variations In The Nearshore Alaskan Beaufort Sea

Three years of current meter and water property data were collected year-round (1999 – 2002) from the landfast ice zone of the nearshore Alaskan Beaufort Sea. The data show large seasonal differences in the circulation that is defined by the set-up and breakup of the landfast ice. During the open water season (July – mid-October) mid-depth currents often exceed 20 cm- s-1, whereas during the landfast ice season (mid-October – June) these currents are generally <10 cm-s-1. Tidal currents are feeble (<3 cm-s-1) year-round and probably do not play a dynamically significant role on the inner shelf.