Lowered ADCP measurements near the West Mariana Ridge

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low frequency flows encountering rough topography lose both momentum and energy to a variety of poorly understood small-scale dynamical processes, including quasi-linear and strongly non-linear (hydraulic) internal lee wave generation. We propose to use lowered and towed ADCP/CTD measurements to better understand these processes as the North Equatorial Current and westward-propagating eddies impinge on the west Mariana Ridge. In a companion proposal, we propose complementary mooring measurements. The measurements will 1) characterize the near-ridge flows and their turbulence on timescales of hours to months, 2) improve parameterizations of drag and mixing (and therefore model representation) of eddies and currents over topography, and 3) support nearby studies with complementary scientific foci.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 12, 2016
Source ID
N000141512264

Entities

People

  • Jennifer MacKinnon

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of California, San Diego

Tags

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Oceanography.