Temperature transport and motional induction in the Florida Current

Differences of electrical potential across the Florida Current between Jupiter, Florida, and Settlement Point, GB!, are interpreted in terms of mean and seasonal temperature transports. The potential differences arise from the lateral transport of electrical conductivity through the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field. Using the temperature and conductivity relation in the Current, the conductivity transport can be converted to temperature transport. In contrast to previous measurements between Key West and Cuba, the present observations lack large (factor of two), short-period voltage fluctuations. The mean voltage of 1.2 V is about that expected from the known mean volume transport and bottom conductance. The corresponding mean temperature transport is about that reported from direct measurements. The annual or seasonal variation of 95 mV is about the same relative to the mean as found in tide gauge and ship drift measurements. The annual transport inferred from the cable voltage is about one-half that observed in direct transport determinations. The shorter period disturbances contain little energy excess in the 4-14 day period seen in previous observations. The continued use of this submarine cable is proposed in order to collect long-term transport and ocean climate observations.