Tropical Disturbances in an Oceanic General Circulation Model with Seasonal Forcing.
Abstract
A ten-level primitive equation ocean circulation model is used to investigate the formation and propagation of baroclinic wavelike responses to annual variations in wind stress forcing. At 12.2 N a thermal response to Ekman pumping is observed to be in phase across the entire longitudinal extent of the model Pacific Ocean. A zonal fluctuation in interior ocean current systems is also suggested. Eastern boundary disturbances not related to local forcing are observed to propagate poleward. At 6.1 N, main thermocline displacements are observed to propagate westward as the result of vertical advection induced by Ekman pumping. Surface layer temperature disturbances also exist which are produced by meridional advection of mean temperature (colder to the south) by surface Ekman currents. Eastern boundary disturbances also exist at this latitude and extend to a deeper level. All disturbances observed in this investigation are considered to be permanent features of the model circulation. Grid size limitations preclude detailed investigation of the observed boundary disturbances with this model. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA073602
Entities
People
- Richard Duane Leroy
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School