A study of near-surface currents in Endicott Arm

Abstract

Currents in Endicott Arm were measured by parachute drogues and ice drift photogrammetry. The parachute drogues showed mean outflow speeds between 2 and 20 cm/sec. The mean outflow extended at reduce speeds to below ten meters and may have extended to Bill depth at twenty meters. From equations of drag and inertia, a differential equation was formed to describe tidal ice drift speeds. The equation was solved on an Analog computer and the solution shown as plotted. Coupling curves were used to measure the net tidal speed. Ice drift mean out flow speeds based upon these computations agreed with parachute drogue mean outflow speeds.