Variability in Gulf Stream Surface-Subsurface Frontal Separation: The Unimportance of Ekman Advection
Abstract
Simultaneous observations of the Gulf Stream surface and subsurface (15C at 200 m) fronts have shown their relative positions to be quite variable. Cross-frontal Ekman advection of the surface front by the local wind stress is a possible major source of this variability. We investigate this possibility and show that on the average and for a particular set of observations, only a small fraction of the observed variability in Gulf Stream surface-subsurface frontal separation is due to advection of the surface front by the local wind stress. As an alternative, it is suggested that most of the observed variability in frontal separation may be due to unstable meandering of the Gulf Stream surface front. Reprints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201160
Entities
People
- Charles W. Horton
- Laverne E. Horsley
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory