Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling Along the Pacific Equator from 95-Degrees-W to 165-Degrees-E

Acoustic Doppler current profiler and CTD data were collected in the equatorial Pacific, from 95W to 165E, during the ALIZE2 cruise, in January-March 1991. These data provide a quasi-synoptic picture of both currents and hydrology of this region. The Equatorial zonal and meridional current structures and associated density distribution are presented and compared with previous measurements. The Equatorial Undercurrent appears stronger and shallower than climatology in the eastern Pacific, but close to average in the west. Intense 20-30 day period oscillations are noticeable east of 140W. Wind measurements and dynamic height computations are used to estimate some terms of the zonal momentum balance along the Equator.