Observations of Coherent Structures in the Oceanic Boundary Layer
Abstract
The focus of the Marine Boundary Layer program is on the role of coherent structures in the air-sea boundary layers. As an aspect of MBL, our group was funded to make observations in the ocean mixed layer, the thermocline below, and the lower atmospheric boundary layer. Our specific objectives included the study of the wind field and wind stress and their relation to the underlying surface wavefield. The particular focus is on the role of turbulent eddies in the atmospheric boundary layer which are coherent with the underlying wavefield. This involved the study of Langmuir cells and their role in mixed layer evolution. Also, the study of thermocline shears, including those not forced by local winds, and their role in the entrainment deepening of the mixed layer were also studies. These studies took place during the course of two cruises on the Research Platform FLIP, in winter-spring 1995. The first experiment was conducted 35 km west of Point Arguello, CA, in 1 km water. The site was in a semi-permanent offshore jet, with strong steady currents toward the west-northwest.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA333292
Entities
People
- Jerome Smith
- Robert Pinkel
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography