East Australian Current Sea Surface Temperature Mapping 2015-2017

Geoscience Australia Data provides a quantitative mapping of the East Australian Current (EAC) encroachment using Himawari-8 sea surface temperature (SST) data. The dataset captures the spatial and temporal evolution of the EAC's meanders, offshoots, and eddies from July 2015 to September 2017, derived via a Topographic Position Index (TPI) method.

Use Cases

• Analyze the temporal evolution of EAC encroachment using the 26-month time series to identify seasonal cycles and eddy-shedding timescales (65-100 days).
• Map the spatial structure of the EAC system's SST signature to document variability in meanders, offshoots, and eddies along its path.
• Relate the SST signature to surface current speed signatures using the documented ~60% area ratio of overlap for model validation.
• Investigate the seasonal cycle of EAC proximity to the coast, comparing stronger austral summer encroachment to weaker winter conditions.

Strengths

• Derived from Himawari-8 SST data offering very high spatiotemporal resolution.
• Covers a 26-month study period from July 2015 to September 2017.
• Quantifies temporal variability with specific eddy-shedding timescales (65-80 days upstream, 90-100 days downstream).

Limitations

• Dataset size, row count, and specific column structure are unknown from the input.
• Analysis is confined to a specific 2-year period, limiting long-term trend assessment.
• Findings are geographically focused on the East Australian Current region off southeast Australia and Tasmania.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data, based on research published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans.

Collection Method

Remote sensing analysis using time series Himawari-8 SST data processed with a Topographic Position Index (TPI) method and validated with an eddy-resolving numerical ocean model.

Time Range

July 2015 to September 2017.

Freshness

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Geography

East Australian Current region off the southeast coast of Australia and the eastern coast of Tasmania.