A collaborative study of sub-mesoscale physics in the southern Taiwan region between the Lan-Yu Ridge and theTaiwan Strait

Abstract

Sub-mesoscale physical processes play a critical role in the dynamics of the ocean, influencing the transport of heat, buoyancy andenergy. In the South China Sea, these small-scale turbulent flows contribute to significant variability in the upper ocean, yet remain poorly understood due to the challenges in observing processes at such fine scales. This study aims to address this gap by utilizing ocean gliders with flight capabilities that are ideal for high-resolution transects of temperature and salinity at sub-mesoscale resolution (1-10 km and 1-10 days). The gliders will perform repeated transects across the dynamically important zone along the southern tip of Taiwan, capturing vertical and horizontal gradients that are critical to identifying sub-mesoscale structures such as fronts, eddies, and filaments.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Mar 12, 2025
Source ID
N000142512212

Entities

People

  • Louis St. Laurent

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Washington

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy