The Effect of Stochastic Surface Heat Fluxes on the Climatology of the Seasonal Thermocline.
Abstract
In this thesis, the stochastic forcing theory of Frankignoul and Hasselmann, 1977 is modified to include a mixed layer model. This enables the examination of the interaction between stochastic heat flux or wind stress components and the annual period surface heat flux. The presence of the stochastic flux component causes the average sea surface temperature to be 0.75 C higher then it would be with only the annual period component. It also delays the time of maximum surface temperature and causes the average mixed layer depth to be ten meters shallower. A stochastic wind stress component applied to an annual heat flux cycle produces a smaller sea surface temperature variance, but results in a more rapidly deepening and deeper mixed layer than achieved with an annual cycle and constant wind stress. The stochastic forcing model shows that the climatology of the seasonal thermocline is dependent on nonlinear interactions between the annual cycle and stochastic forcing. Originator-supplied keywords include: Stochastic forcing of ocean mixed layer model; Air-sea interaction, and Climatology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA149957
Entities
People
- D. C. Copley
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School