Estimating the Atlantic overturning at 26°N using satellite altimetry and cable measurements
Estimating the Atlantic overturning at 26°N using satellite altimetry and cable measurements
Climate simulations predict a slowing of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), a key oceanic component of the climate system, while continuous observations of the MOC from boundary arrays demonstrate substantial variability on weekly- to interannual timescales. These arrays are necessarily limited to individual latitudes. A potential proxy for the MOC, covering longer time-scales and larger spatial scales is desirable. Here, we use sea surface height data from satellites to estimate the interannual variability of transbasin ocean transports at 26°N. Combining this estimate with surface Ekman transport and cable measurements of the Florida Current, we construct a time series of the MOC from 1993–2014. This satellite-based estimate recovers over 90% of the interannual variability of the MOC measured by the RAPID 26°N array. This analysis complements in situ observational efforts to measure the MOC at multiple latitudes, and opens the door to a broader spatial understanding of the Atlantic circulation variability.
Meridional Overturning Circulation, Satellite oceanography, Ocean transports, Interannual variability, Ocean Climate
3458-3464
Frajka-Williams, E.
da86044e-0f68-4cc9-8f60-7fdbc4dc19cb
May 2015
Frajka-Williams, E.
da86044e-0f68-4cc9-8f60-7fdbc4dc19cb
Frajka-Williams, E.
(2015)
Estimating the Atlantic overturning at 26°N using satellite altimetry and cable measurements.
Geophysical Research Letters, 42 (9), .
(doi:10.1002/2015GL063220).
Abstract
Climate simulations predict a slowing of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), a key oceanic component of the climate system, while continuous observations of the MOC from boundary arrays demonstrate substantial variability on weekly- to interannual timescales. These arrays are necessarily limited to individual latitudes. A potential proxy for the MOC, covering longer time-scales and larger spatial scales is desirable. Here, we use sea surface height data from satellites to estimate the interannual variability of transbasin ocean transports at 26°N. Combining this estimate with surface Ekman transport and cable measurements of the Florida Current, we construct a time series of the MOC from 1993–2014. This satellite-based estimate recovers over 90% of the interannual variability of the MOC measured by the RAPID 26°N array. This analysis complements in situ observational efforts to measure the MOC at multiple latitudes, and opens the door to a broader spatial understanding of the Atlantic circulation variability.
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Accepted/In Press date: April 2015
e-pub ahead of print date: 11 May 2015
Published date: May 2015
Keywords:
Meridional Overturning Circulation, Satellite oceanography, Ocean transports, Interannual variability, Ocean Climate
Organisations:
Physical Oceanography
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 376014
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/376014
ISSN: 0094-8276
PURE UUID: 2ccd9b80-7353-44fb-aa2d-15f2e58b231d
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Date deposited: 13 Apr 2015 08:50
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:35
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Author:
E. Frajka-Williams
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