Wind-Drift Current Investigations.

Abstract

The ocean is driven by the wind, thermocline alterations and the tidal interaction of the earth-moon-sun system. The geometry of the ocean causes most of the flow to be of a turbulent nature; hence, eddies of varied sizes occur. The combination and time variability of the driving forces and the reaction of the ocean create complications in the prediction of the total velocity field. In the upper kilometers of the ocean, the main transport is due to the wind produced flow. The circulation at the abyssal levels is more dependent on the thermohaline alteration occurring at the surface of the polar and subpolar regions. The tides, while being of local significance, do not transport much water due to their oscillating motion.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1969
Accession Number
ADA059104

Entities

People

  • Arnold L. Gordon
  • Robert D. Gerard

Organizations

  • Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Geometry
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Thermoclines
  • Transport Ships

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Oceanography.