Modeling studies of the effects of seasonal wind forcing and thermohaline gradients on the Leeuwin Current System

Download
Author
Cox, Anthony W.
Date
1998-12Advisor
Batteen, Mary L.
Second Reader
NA
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A high resolution, multi-level, primitive equation ocean model is used to investigate the effects of seasonal thermohaline gradients and wind forcing in the generation of currents and eddies off the western and southwestern coasts of Australia. Additionally, an investigation of the generation mechanisms for undercurrents in the region is conducted. Model results demonstrate the roles of seasonal thermohaline gradients, wind forcing, and North West Shelf waters in the Leeuwin Current System. While the basic flow is poleward and eastward off the western and southern coasts, due to strong thermohaline gradients, there is significant variability in the flow from the seasonal nature of the wind forcing and the onset of the North West Shelf waters. Model results also indicate that an equatorward (westward) undercurrent off the western (southwestern) coast of Australia is generated and maintained due to the conservation of mass continuity in response to an alongshore thermohaline gradient at deeper levels.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Modeling studies of the effects of wind forcing and thermohaline gradients on the California Current System
Batteen, Mary L.; Vance, Philip W. (1998);This process-oriented study uses a high-resolution, multi-level, primitive equation model to study the combined effects of wind forcing and thermohaline gradients on the ocean circulation of the California Current System ... -
Ocean general circulation from a global eddy-resolving model
Semtner, Albert J. Jr.; Chervin, Robert M. (American Geophysical Union, 1992-04-15);A concerted effort has been made to simulate the global ocean circulation with resolved eddies, using a highly optimized model on the best available supercomputer. An earlier 20-year spin-up has been extended for 12.5 ... -
Effects of thermohaline gradients and the Columbia River Plume on the California Current System
Schenk, Frank M. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2000-03);To study the combined effects of thermohaline gradients and the Columbia River plume on the ocean circulation of the California Current System (CCS), results from three numerical experiments of increasing complexity are ...