Ocean Observing and Climate
LSLTOC Theme 2 - The East Greenland Coastal Current
In August 1997, RRS Discovery ran a hydrographic section close onto the eastern coast of Cape Farewell on the southern tip of Greenland. It found the East Greenland Coastal Current (EGCC): a current flowing south-westwards, about 15 km wide, 100 m deep and centred about 10 km offshore. We believe it to be driven by meltwater runoff from Greenland. We estimate that it carries a freshwater transport of 0.06 Sv (1800 km3/yr), about 30% of the Arctic freshwater gain. The presence of the EGCC and its continuity up the east Greenland coast as far as Denmark Strait is confirmed in satellite SST images and surface drifter tracks.
Further Reading:
Bacon, S., G. Reverdin, I. G. Rigor and H. M. Snaith, 2002: A freshwater
jet on the East Greenland Shelf. J. Geophys. Res. 107 10.1029/2001JC000935.
Links to LSLTOC Theme 2 Research
Rotating Channel Flow Faroe Bank Channel Ellett Line SPG in 1/12 OCCAM Irminger Sea Convection Greenland Coastal Current
