ESTIMATES OF VERTICAL MOTIONS AND MERIDIONAL HEAT EXCHANGE IN GULF-STREAM EDDIES, AND A COMPARISON WITH ATMOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES
Abstract
On the basis of certain assumptions about the subsurface structure of the Gulf-Stream eddy Edgar (1950), computations are made of various properties of large-scale oceanic eddies, by the use of methods employed in the study of atmospheric disturbances. It was found that during the formation of Edgar the southward flux through its neck in upper levels exceeded its rate of areal expansion, the reverse being true in lower levels. This implies general subsiding motions, reaching probable maximum mean values of 30 x 1/1000 cm/sec at 600 meters depth. Descending motions were much stronger in the southern than in the northern part of the eddy. The heat exchange across the mean Gulf Stream, associated with the separation of one eddy from the main cold-water mass, is found to about 200-400 x 10 to the 18th. gm cal. A small annual number of eddies such as Edgar would be capable of transporting enough heat across the Stream, to balance the loss of heat through the sea surface in the entire cold-water area west of Newfoundland. Horizontal and vertical mass transports in the Gulf-Stream eddy, during the period of formation, are found to be comparable to that in a cold outbreak in the atmosphere. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0251143
Entities
People
- Chester W. Newton
Organizations
- University of Chicago