Dropped Spectra of Temperature Fluctuations Based on CTD Casts in the Vema Fracture Zone

A strong relationship has been revealed between the topography of the Vema Fracture Zone and spectra of temperature estimated from profiles of CTD casts. Internal waves over rough topography transform the vertical profiles of temperature, as revealed from the data of usual CTD casts. Internal waves generate fine structure in vertical profiles. Variations in the shape of temperature profiles cause variations in one-dimensional spatial spectra of vertical displacements estimated from temperature profiles. Spectral estimates (“dropped spectra”) from profiles over rough topography exceed those estimated over flat topography. In the latter case, they are much closer to the dropped spectra of the Garrett–Munk model.