Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior
Submesoscale ocean processes, characterized by order-1 Rossby and Richardson numbers, are currently thought to be mainly confined to the ocean surface mixed layer, whereas the ocean interior is commonly assumed to be in quasigeostrophic equilibrium. Here, a realistic numerical simulation in the Anta...
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American Meteorological Society
2020
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ftcaltechauth:oai:authors.library.caltech.edu:102582 2023-05-15T13:59:21+02:00 Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior Siegelman, Lia 2020-03 application/pdf https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/ https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/1/jpo-d-19-0253.1.pdf https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/2/10.1175_JPO-D-19-0253.s1.pdf https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080 unknown American Meteorological Society https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/1/jpo-d-19-0253.1.pdf https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/2/10.1175_JPO-D-19-0253.s1.pdf Siegelman, Lia (2020) Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 50 (3). pp. 727-749. ISSN 0022-3670. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080> Article PeerReviewed 2020 ftcaltechauth 2020-04-26T17:51:58Z Submesoscale ocean processes, characterized by order-1 Rossby and Richardson numbers, are currently thought to be mainly confined to the ocean surface mixed layer, whereas the ocean interior is commonly assumed to be in quasigeostrophic equilibrium. Here, a realistic numerical simulation in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, with a 1/48° horizontal resolution and tidal forcing, is used to demonstrate that the ocean interior departs from the quasigeostrophic regime down to depths of 900 m, that is, well below the mixed layer. Results highlight that, contrary to the classical paradigm, the ocean interior is strongly ageostrophic, with a pronounced cyclone–anticyclone asymmetry and a dominance of frontogenesis over frontolysis. Numerous vortices and filaments, from the surface down to 900 m, are characterized by large Rossby and low Richardson numbers, strong lateral gradients of buoyancy, and vigorous ageostrophic frontogenesis. These deep submesoscales fronts are only weakly affected by internal gravity waves and drive intense upward vertical heat fluxes, consistent with recent observations in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the Gulf Stream. As such, deep submesoscale fronts are an efficient pathway for the transport of heat from the ocean interior to the surface, suggesting the presence of an intensified oceanic restratification at depth. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Caltech Authors (California Institute of Technology) Antarctic The Antarctic |
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Caltech Authors (California Institute of Technology) |
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Submesoscale ocean processes, characterized by order-1 Rossby and Richardson numbers, are currently thought to be mainly confined to the ocean surface mixed layer, whereas the ocean interior is commonly assumed to be in quasigeostrophic equilibrium. Here, a realistic numerical simulation in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, with a 1/48° horizontal resolution and tidal forcing, is used to demonstrate that the ocean interior departs from the quasigeostrophic regime down to depths of 900 m, that is, well below the mixed layer. Results highlight that, contrary to the classical paradigm, the ocean interior is strongly ageostrophic, with a pronounced cyclone–anticyclone asymmetry and a dominance of frontogenesis over frontolysis. Numerous vortices and filaments, from the surface down to 900 m, are characterized by large Rossby and low Richardson numbers, strong lateral gradients of buoyancy, and vigorous ageostrophic frontogenesis. These deep submesoscales fronts are only weakly affected by internal gravity waves and drive intense upward vertical heat fluxes, consistent with recent observations in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the Gulf Stream. As such, deep submesoscale fronts are an efficient pathway for the transport of heat from the ocean interior to the surface, suggesting the presence of an intensified oceanic restratification at depth. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Siegelman, Lia |
spellingShingle |
Siegelman, Lia Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
author_facet |
Siegelman, Lia |
author_sort |
Siegelman, Lia |
title |
Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
title_short |
Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
title_full |
Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
title_fullStr |
Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
title_full_unstemmed |
Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior |
title_sort |
energetic submesoscale dynamics in the ocean interior |
publisher |
American Meteorological Society |
publishDate |
2020 |
url |
https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/ https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/1/jpo-d-19-0253.1.pdf https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/2/10.1175_JPO-D-19-0253.s1.pdf https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080 |
geographic |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic |
op_relation |
https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/1/jpo-d-19-0253.1.pdf https://authors.library.caltech.edu/102582/2/10.1175_JPO-D-19-0253.s1.pdf Siegelman, Lia (2020) Energetic Submesoscale Dynamics in the Ocean Interior. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 50 (3). pp. 727-749. ISSN 0022-3670. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20200416-133244080> |
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