DYNAMICS OF GULF STREAM MEANDERS,
Abstract
Hydrodynamical theories on meanders of the Gulf Stream and similar western boundary currents are critically reviewed. Observed facts of meanders east of Cape Hatteras are described including data obtained in Operation Cabot and Gulf Stream '60. Long waves along a shearing horizontal current in a rotating barotropic system are discussed. Stability of long waves in a uniform current of a two-layer ocean is treated. Theories on waves on a shearing current in the upper layer of a two-layer current including Duxbury, Iwata and Yasui are presented. General criteria on stability of a baroclinic flow are discussed. The Rossby waves in a barotropic and baroclinic ocean are explained. Instability of waves in an eastward flow is discussed as a cause of meanders. Applications of Rossby's constant absolute trajectory theory to meanders by Saint-Guily, Warren and Ichiye are presented and Greenspan's criterion on stability of a western boundary current is derived. The cross current momentum eddy transfer determined by Webster and Ichiye for the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio, respectively, and the eddy heat transfer determined by Oort for the Gulf Stream are discussed. Possibility of testing some theories on meanders by use of a rotating tank is discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0615741
Entities
People
- Takashi Ichiye