Modeling Near-Inertial Wave Response in a Seasonally Ice-Free Arctic: Differences from a Mid-Latitude Wave Field
Abstract
The purpose of this grant has been to determine why internal wave energy, and by extension, the deep background mixing associated with it, are so low in the Arctic Ocean. Low internal wave energy has been thought to be solely due to the presence of the ice cover, which may both reduce forcing of waves and their dissipation. It has been speculated that as sea ice disappears we will see large increases in internal wave energy. However, analysis of Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Survey (SIZRS) Aircraft Expendable Current Profiler (AXCP) data for ice-covered and ice-free conditions shows this is not true. Rather our modeling study using an adaptation of a mid-latitude internal wave generation model indicates that internal wave energy in the Arctic Ocean is low largely because the low beta (change in Coriolis parameter with latitude) and high near-surface stratification there inhibit the vertical propagation of near-inertial internal wave energy. These effects can account for the majority of energy reduction compared to lower latitudes (Guthrie and Morison, 2021).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1142147
Entities
People
- James Morison
- John Guthrie
Organizations
- University of Washington