Multiple zonal jets in the North Atlantic: Dynamics and kinematics
Abstract
Multiple oceanic zonal jets are studied in an eddy-resolving model of the North Atlantic, where the jets have meridional width of 150-200 km and a basin-wide zonal extent. Our analysis of the jet dynamics is focused on the structure of eddy forcing -- a convergence of eddy fluxes of buoyancy and relative and potential vorticity. The results demonstrate a central role of both barotropic and baroclinic eddies, as well as significant differences between the subtropical and subpolar gyres, in the jet dynamics. The analysis of the jet kinematics is based on trajectories of neutrally buoyant particles and suggests highly anisotropic distribution of mixing within the jets. We do not, however, observe the formation of a "PV staircase" -- a distinct meridional structure found in some idealized studies of geostrophic turbulence.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008AGUFMOS41C1240K
- Keywords:
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- 4255 Numerical modeling (0545;
- 0560);
- 4512 Currents;
- 4520 Eddies and mesoscale processes;
- 4528 Fronts and jets