Figure 25. — Surface temperature distribution (°C.) and the pattern of the surface circulation from cruise 12 of the R/V 



Geronlmo (February to April 1967). 



remaining water entering the Gulf seemingly 

 moves westward across the Campeche shelf and 

 then turns northeastward to join themainflow. 

 The circulation of the eastern Gulf of Mexico 

 reacts directly to the looping flow that enters 

 through the Yucatan Straits and departs through 

 the Florida Straits. Interactionof this loop cur- 

 rent with adjacent waters establishes the cir- 

 culation over most of the western Gulf. The 

 general easterly and northeasterly flow in the 

 western Gulf is probably also associated with 

 the prevailing south and southeast winds over 

 the area. The small pockets of cool water near 

 shore may originate from river discharge and 

 land runoff. 



From the surface information compiled 

 from the IZth cruise, three features of par- 

 ticular significance were noted: (1) the pres- 

 ence of a southward flowing countercurrent 

 through the Yucatan Straits; (Z) the lack of 

 offshore penetration of Mississippi River dis- 

 charge; and (3) the turbulent characteristic of 

 oceanic circulations, as evidenced by the nu- 

 merous eddies present, especially those bound- 

 ing the main flow of the loop current. 



Reed S. Armstrong, Project Leader 



MS. #1780 



35 



GPO 8 6 .502 



