Seasonal Evolution of Near-inertial Shear and Kinetic Energy from Glider Observations
Abstract
Near-inertial motions, which are characterized by circular polarization and strong vertical shear, are a significant component of the oceanic variability with power input similar tothat of the internal tides globally. However, unlike tides, near-inertial motions are highly episodic, often triggered by the transient wind stress associated with passing weathersystems. We know that some near-inertial energy is lost to shear-driven turbulence at the mixed layer base, while some energy propagates downward and laterally in the form of near-inertial internal waves. The intermittent nature of near-inertial motions leaves many questions about their generation, evolution, and decay poorly understood. The `NearInertial Shear and Kinetic Energy in the North Atlantic Experiment (NISKINE) DRI aims to achieve a major advance in understanding near-inertial motions though a program ofintensive seasonal-scale observations in the North Atlantic that will be analyzed and interpreted along with recent developments in theoretical frameworks, numericalmodeling, and parameterizations. We propose to contribute to NISKINE by using autonomous underwater gliders equipped with small Doppler current profilers to measurenear-inertial currents and vertical shear over seasonal timescales along with concurrent hydrography.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812425
Entities
People
- Robert E. Todd
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution