Tropical disturbances in an oceanic general circulation model with seasonal forcing.
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Authors
LeRoy, Richard Duane
Subjects
Advisors
Haney, Robert L.
Date of Issue
1979-06
Date
June 1979
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
A ten-level primitive equation ocean circulation model
is used to investigate the formation and propagation of baroclinic
wavelike responses to annual variations in wind stress
forcing. At 12.2°N a thermal response to Ekman pumping is
observed to be in phase across the entire longitudinal extent
of the model Pacific Ocean. A zonal fluctuation in interior
ocean current systems is also suggested. Eastern boundary
disturbances not related to local forcing are observed to
propagate poleward. At 6.1°N, main thermocline displacements
are observed to propagate westward as the result of vertical
advection induced by Ekman pumping. Surface layer temperature
disturbances also exist which are produced by meridional
advection of mean temperature (colder to the south) by surface
Ekman currents. Eastern boundary disturbances also
exist at this latitude and extend to a deeper level. All
disturbances observed in this investigation are considered
to be permanent features of the model circulation. Grid size
limitations preclude detailed investigation of the observed
boundary disturbances with this model.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.