Generation of strong mesoscale eddies by weak ocean gyres

Clicks: 6
ID: 295609
2000
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score — reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Steady

Ranked #24 of 1,397 articles by views in journal of marine research

Most read Least read

Bar heights use a square-root scale. Only the 120 most-read articles are drawn; the journal has 1,397 in total.

Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet minted

Create a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

5 SUSD one-off · no wallet required
Abstract
The generation of strong mesoscale variability through instability of the large-scale circulation in the interior of oceanic gyres is addressed. While previous studies have shown that eddies generated from weakly sheared zonal flows are generally weak, the present results demonstrate that weakly sheared meridional flows typical of wind-forced gyres can generate very strong mesoscale variability. Meridional flows are effective at generating strong eddies because the reduced influence of the planetary vorticity gradient allows the potential energy stored in the zonal potential vorticity gradient to be converted to eddy kinetic energy. A simple scaling theory based on a balance between turbulent cascade and baroclinic energy production yields an estimate of the equilibration amplitude of the eddy kinetic energy. Nonlinear quasi-geostrophic model calculations configured in both a periodic meridional channel and a wind-driven subtropical gyre agree well with the scaling theory.
Reference Key
openalex_W1977044267 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Michael A. Spall
Journal journal of marine research
Year 2000
DOI
10.1357/002224000321511214
URL
Keywords Keywords not found

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.