Since the works of von Richthofen, "ria" is a geographical standard term referring to estuaries with a particular geological configuration. At the origin of the term lie the estuaries on the northern lberian coast, one of which is the Ría de Vigo. Can observed circulation patterns serve also as a paradigm.for a certain type of estuary? In order to explore this possibility, circulation data for spring, summer and autumn seasons in the Ría de Vigo are analysed. Currents are studied quantitatively and separately at different frequency regimes. Tidal current patterns are determined: vertical structure, variability in various time-scales, geographical effects on inflow and outflow regimes are dealt with. The importance of low frequency currents in terms of intensity persistency and energy is assessed. Simultaneous deployrnents in both entrances to the Ría shed light on the different characteristics of the flux of water through them. Some conclusions on the characterisation of the Ría de Vigo as a partially mixed estuary are drawn

2 pages, 7 figures.-- 2ª Asamblea hispano-portuguesa de geodesia y geofisica = 2ª Assembleia luso-espanhola de geodesia e geofisica, Lagos (Algarve, Portugal), 8-12 febrero de 2000

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