Flow Interactions over Steep Oceanic Ridges: Moored Observations
Abstract
The goal of this proposed research is to examine the influence of steep island and submarine topography on the strong, westward flowing North Equatorial Current (NEC). We seek to examine the extent to which topographic interactions promote the cascade of energy from the large-scale NEC to smaller scales. Processes that are likely to contribute to energy transfer include the generation of wake eddies, form drag, and lee wave generation. The proposed study site is Palau, which has reliably strong NEC flows in the vicinity, particularly during the post-El Nino conditions that will occur in 2016 to 2017. We will collaborate with other FLEAT investigators on the collection and analysis of moored observations from a dense array, which will be complemented by shipboard, autonomous platform, and remotely sensed measurements. The observations will be used to evaluate and to assess the skill of regional models, with the overall goal of providing specific recommendations on how to improve model predictions at < 10 km resolution aroundsubmarine topography and islands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612671
Entities
People
- Mark Merrifield
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Hawaiʻi System