Interdecadal variability of the Southern Ocean
Interdecadal variability of the Southern Ocean
The intrinsic variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is investigated using an idealized wind-driven model. The model uses three quasigeostrophic layers, with steady wind stress forcing, and no diabatic effects. Despite the idealized nature of the model, the simulations display a robust mode of low-frequency variability in the flow. It is demonstrated that this variability is dependent upon the explicit simulation of the dynamics of mesoscale eddies. As such, the variability is sensitive to stratification, horizontal viscosity, bottom stress, and topography. The energetic balance of the variability is diagnosed, and a driving mechanism is proposed that involves positive feedback between the generation of eddies through baroclinic instability and the dynamics of the mean circulation.
1626-1645
Hogg, A.McC.
cfa79636-d52b-4626-8202-2ea66862a273
Blundell, J.R.
88114f32-6b76-46b2-b2d8-d6ef64a82b0d
2006
Hogg, A.McC.
cfa79636-d52b-4626-8202-2ea66862a273
Blundell, J.R.
88114f32-6b76-46b2-b2d8-d6ef64a82b0d
Hogg, A.McC. and Blundell, J.R.
(2006)
Interdecadal variability of the Southern Ocean.
Journal of Physical Oceanography, 36 (8), .
(doi:10.1175/JPO2934.1).
Abstract
The intrinsic variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is investigated using an idealized wind-driven model. The model uses three quasigeostrophic layers, with steady wind stress forcing, and no diabatic effects. Despite the idealized nature of the model, the simulations display a robust mode of low-frequency variability in the flow. It is demonstrated that this variability is dependent upon the explicit simulation of the dynamics of mesoscale eddies. As such, the variability is sensitive to stratification, horizontal viscosity, bottom stress, and topography. The energetic balance of the variability is diagnosed, and a driving mechanism is proposed that involves positive feedback between the generation of eddies through baroclinic instability and the dynamics of the mean circulation.
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Published date: 2006
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Local EPrints ID: 43995
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/43995
ISSN: 0022-3670
PURE UUID: e5eecae7-3da3-46b8-9f87-e81204ed33e7
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Date deposited: 06 Feb 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 08:59
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A.McC. Hogg
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