From 1984 to 1986, the cooperative Frontal Air-Sea INteraction Experiment (FASINEX) was conducted in the subtropical convergence zone southwest of Bermuda. The overall objective of the experiment was to study air-sea interaction on 1- to 100-km horizontal scales in a region of the open ocean characterized by strong horizontal gradients in upper ocean and sea surface properties, especially temperature. Ocean fronts provided both large spatial gradients in sea surface temperature and strong jetlike flows in the upper ocean.
Scientific goals of the experiment included:
Field work for FASINEX began in 1984 when surveillance of the region was increased by dropping expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) from ships of opportunity and by more frequent collection of satellite infrared images. Two subsurface moorings were deployed in October 1984. In January 1986 (Phase I), nine additional moorings were set in an array by the R/V Knorr that straddled a strong ocean front. In February and March 1986 (Phase II), two ships [R/V Oceanus and R/V Endeavor] and six research aircraft [NCAR Electra; NOAA WP-3D; NRL RP-3A; NASA C-130B; NASA P-3; NASA Electra] took observations over this area. The moored array was recovered in June 1986 with final Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) and XBT surveys carried out (Phase III).
Facilities that participated in FASINEX:
Aircraft | NCAR Electra; NOAA WP-3D; NRL RP-3A; NASA C-130B; NASA P-3; NASA Electra; SST Survey Aircraft |
Ships | R/V Oceanus; R/V Endeavor; R/V Knorr |
A north-south section of temperature across a front observed during FASINEX. Photo courtesy Eriksen et al.
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Joost Businger (right) at work during FASINEX. Photo courtesy Charlie Semmer.
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FASINEX satellite imagery. Photo courtesy P. Cornillon.
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All photos copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research unless otherwise noted.