DETECTION OF VORTEX MOTION BY SATELLITE (AVHRR/NOAA-6) AND REGIONAL UPWELLING OFF IZU-OSHIMA ISLAND

Abstract

The advanced very high resolution radiometer (A VHRR) mounted on the NOAA-6 satellite has a temperature sensitivity of 0.1^°C and area scale of about 1km. It was found to be capable for the detection of regional upwelling plumes around IzuOshima Island which have a thermal contrast of 3 to 5^°C and a size of I to 30km. It is suggested that the large coverage area (3000 km) and repeat measurement capabilities of the satellite will be extremely useful for the future study of geographical distribution of regional upwellings and their variations in time.