The Makassar Strait Pycnocline Variability at 20-40 Days
Abstract
The characteristics and plausible genesis of the 20-40 day variability observed within the Labani Channel, a constriction within the Makassar Strait, Indonesia, are described. The 20-40 day variability, trapped beneath the depth of the strongest stratification of the pycnocline, is most evident in the across-strait flow, and in the across-strait gradient of the along-strait flow as well as in the vertical displacements of isotherms. The 20-40 day energy distribution of the across-strait flow is identifiable as a blue spectrum, demonstrating downward phase propagation. The flow fields are approximated by a vortex velocity structure, and the corresponding isotherm displacements imply potential vorticity conservation. We propose that the 20-40 day features observed in the Labani Channel are expressions of cyclonic and anti-cyclonic eddies that are advected southward within the Makassar Strait throughflow. Analysis of simulated eddy kinetic energy from an eddy-resolving model further indicates that the upstream instability of the background flow within Makassar Strait is the energy source for the eddies which are dissipated within the Labani Channel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563438
Entities
People
- Amy L. Ffield
- Arnold L. Gordon
- Edward Joseph Metzger
- Kandaga Pujiana
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory