The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 2, April, 1889 — John Shaqi
The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 2, April, 1889Various
History
The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. I., No. 2, April, 1889
Various
Geography -- Periodicals
In the Mona Passage no regular currents were perceptible. Between Mona
and Puerto Rico the currents observed set out of the Caribbean Sea,
varying in direction from about W. by N. to E. N. E., except at 65
fathoms depth, where there appeared to be an inward flow. On the
western side of the passage, near Santo Domingo, the direction of the
currents was between S. S. E. and S. W. by W. But few observations
could be taken on account of unfavorable weather.
In the Windward Passage, on the western side the currents from the
surface down to 130 fathoms set in the directions lying in the S. E.
quadrant, and at 200 fathoms the direction changed to W. by S. On the
eastern side the surface current varied between E. N. E. and E. S. E.,
with about ½ knot velocity. Variations in the direction similar in
extent characterized also the subsurface currents in the middle and on
the eastern side of the passage.
The average of the observations at these three stations gives but a
small volume of water passing in either direction.
In the old Bahama Channel, at the station north of Cayo Romano (island
off the north coast of Cuba) the currents at and near the surface set
south of east; at 65 fathoms, however, the direction varies from about
N. W. to E. The deeper current of great volume flowed continually to
the north of west with a velocity of over 1½ knots at depths of 130 and
200 fathoms.
Outside the Bahamas, to the north of Great Abaco, a slight current
flows about N. W. on the surface and down to 30 fathoms; at 65 fathoms
depth the direction changes to a point more westerly, and at 130
fathoms to a point more easterly than the set of the surface current.
The maximum in the daily variation at this station occurs about 12^h
after the moon's transit.
The observations so far as completed by Lieutenant Pillsbury furnish
the most valuable data we have at present concerning the Gulf Stream,
and it is hoped that further investigation and the analytical treatment
of these observations will clearly develop the dynamic laws involved
and lead us to a correct theory of current phenomena in general.
TIDAL PHENOMENA.
The causes for many of the inequalities in the tidal elements observed
at different places have not yet been satisfactorily explained. The
phenomena are dependent on many purely terrestrial conditions. While we
are able to ascertain with tolerable accuracy from certain constants,
derived from observation, the times and heights of the tides, the
problem to compute theoretically the tides of an ideal ocean of known
depth and configuration remains still unsolved. According to Ferrel our
present knowledge of tidal phenomena is comparable to that possessed
2,000 years ago of the science of astronomy.
TEMPERATURE OF THE SEA.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account