Gulf Stream - Boundary Interactions
Abstract
I seek to understand the influence of the Gulf Stream, as well as other midlatitude jets, on the surrounding ocean. The interrelations between meandering, recirculation and radiation of low frequency energy are of particular interest. The guiding hypothesis is that the meandering of western boundary currents acts as a wavemaker in the ocean. The meanders are quite depth independent and force mainly barotropic motions exterior to them. These motions propagate as low frequency Rossby waves and those to the north of the stream eventually become topographic Rossby waves as they begin to feel the bottom topography. Based on theoretical and numerical modeling of the Gulf Stream region, two areas of enhanced coupling are predicted: near Cape Hatteras and to the west of the Grand Banks. We wish to discover whether or not this process is observed in the ocean. It is possible that similar dynamics are at work near the Polar Front in the Japan/East Sea.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA569110
Entities
People
- Nelson Hogg
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution