The SYNOP Experiment Inverted Echo Sounder Data Report for October 1987 to May 1988

The SYNoptic Ocean Prediction experiment(SYNOP) was undertaken with the goal that increased understanding of the Gulf Stream obtained through coordinated observations could be integrated with numerical models, including predictive models of the Gulf Stream. The Inlet array consists of inverted echo sounders (IES) and deep current meters in a 120 x 150 km rectangle near Cape Hatteras. It measures key parameters that describe the variability of the Gulf Stream as it first flows into deeper water and crossed over the DWBC. The Central array of IESs, a 200 x 320 km rectangle center on the Gulf Stream near 68oW, monitors the thermocline structure of the Gulf Stream in the region of large meanders and frequent interactions with rings. During this first depolyment period, only 3 central cross-stream lines of IESs were occupied, and five of the IESs in the arrays were outfitted with bottom pressure gauges (PIES). The echo sounders were launched during a cruise aboard the R/V Endeavor, EN169 (October 9, 1987 to October 28, 1987), and recovered during a cruise aboard the R/V Oceanus OC200 (May 20, 1988 to June 18, 1988). IES data recovered during OC200 are documented here by plots and tables of basic statistics and pertinent deployment information. Altogether 22 IES records are presented, plus pressure and temperature records at 5 sites. The plots are time series of measured travel time, pressure, temperature; the residual pressure; and low-pass filtered records of residual pressure, thermocline depth, and temperature. A brief description of the experiment and standard steps of data processing is also given