Mixing to Mesoscale
Abstract
Before the Mixing to Mesoscale URI, work being done on various aspects of oceanic mixing had little or no coordination. Oceanic measurements were carried out piecemeal, with insufficient time to relate them to measurements at other times and places; numerical and laboratory studies simulating oceanic mixing processes did not address the crucial questions needed to interpret the oceanic measurements. Furthermore, conceptual and analytical models were not related to specific processes. Consequently, there was no way to test basic notions--such as most mixing occurs at oceanic boundaries, and vertical fluxes result from the mixed water moving along sloping isopycnal surfaces. To improve this situation, we brought together two observationalists studying small scales (Gregg and Sanford), a laboratory experimentalist (Van Atta), a numerical modeler (Riley), and a theorist interested in the mesoscale (Rhines). Meetings during the first year improved our understanding of problems in the different aspects of mixing and defined much of the work to be done. Some research, however, was not anticipated early on.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA258037
Entities
Organizations
- University of Washington