Location Gulf Atlas TOPEX

The Atlas of the Gulf of Mexico briefly introduces the reader to the use of remote sensing for studying the behavior and climatology of the Loop Current and its interaction with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Observations and descriptions of thermal and optical imagery are provided. These can be used to infer information about currents, heat transport, suspended sediment, and phytoplankton concentrations.

The atlas is designed to supply background information valuable to resource management, interdisciplinary products, researchers, and students (including high school). The atlas is divided into two parts:

1. Hard copy with text and basic images (no movie loops); and,
2. Compact Disc, Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) complete with hypertext background and research applications supplemented by color images, movie loops, and an appendix of additional images, providing more detail.

When used with current meter arrays, drifters and hydrography, remote sensing can be an effective tool in understanding the physical processes in the Gulf of Mexico. It enables the investigator to extrapolate what is learned from the moorings to a broader region. There are several different areas of interest when exploring the physical processes in the Gulf remotely.