Dynamics of Frontal Intrusions and their Effects on a Mediterranean Salt Lens

Abstract

Parameterisation of the structure, amplitude, and mixing rate of finite-amplitude lateral intrusions. These occur at most oceanic fronts, including the Gulf Stream, and drive cross-frontal mixing. The highly structured quasi-horizontal sound speed perturbations may strongly affect acoustic propagation across such fronts. Results: (1) The scale and slope of the intrusions were found to support theoretical models of thermohaline driving, and showed definitively that the intrusions were NOT driven by the McIntyre mechanism (differential diffusion of momentum and mass). (2) (a.) The intrusions had longer vertical wavelength in the lower part of the Meddy than in the upper part. (b.) We found that it was possible to observe the perturbations in density which drove the intrusive motions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA245164

Entities

People

  • Barry Ruddick

Organizations

  • Dalhousie University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acoustic Propagation
  • Amplitude
  • Diffusion
  • Gulf Stream
  • Intensity
  • Intrusion
  • Mixing
  • Momentum
  • Momentum Transfer
  • Nova Scotia
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Perturbations
  • Physics
  • Steady State
  • Turbulent Mixing

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Theoretical Analysis.