Subsurface Fluxes Beneath Large-Scale Convective Centers in the Indian Ocean ONR DRI: Coupled Air-Wave-Sea Processes in the Subtropics
Abstract
The long-term goal of this program is to understand the physics of small-scale oceanic processes and how they affect the larger scales of ocean circulation. Ongoing studies within the Ocean Mixing Group at OSU emphasize observations, interaction with turbulence modelers and an aggressive program of sensor / instrumentation development and integration. The principal objectives of this project are to investigate small-scale air-sea coupling in the equatorial Indian Ocean associated with the evolving structure of large-scale atmospheric convection during Madden-Julian Oscillation events. Specifically, to: * quantify the detailed vertical and time-varying structure in both velocity and stratification of the Wyrtki jets. This measurement leads to estimation of Ri and potential parameterization of mixing; assess negative feedbacks to atmospheric convection: * quantify sea surface cooling rates due to wind mixing and diurnal cooling; * quantify sea surface cooling rates due to shear instability created by the highly-sheared currents, particularly the Wyrtki jets; and assess positive feedbacks to atmospheric convection: * quantify sea surface heating rates (from both above and below) in thin near-surface fresh layers deposited by convective precipitation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA597816
Entities
People
- James N. Moum
Organizations
- Oregon State University