Elements for a comparison between the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian coastal currents during spring

Summary Hydrological and current measurements effected along the western Italian coasts permit to compare the main dynamical peculiarities of the coastal circulation of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian basins, evidencing in particular their different response to atmospheric fluctuations. While the Ligurian currents show a great energy that depends essentially on the large-scale circulation, the Tyrrhenian shelf dynamics is characterized by a low thermohaline driven velocity, largely influenced by the local wind. Paper presented at the 1° Congresso del Gruppo Nazionale per la Fisica dell' Atmosfera e dell'Oceano, Rome, June 19–22, 1984.