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SUMMARY:Examining mechanisms for submesoscale eddy generation using observ
 ations in the North Atlantic - Dr Christian Buckingham (British Antarctic 
 Survey)
DTSTART:20170607T100000Z
DTEND:20170607T110000Z
UID:TALK72745@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Peter Davis
DESCRIPTION:A high-resolution satellite image that reveals a train of cohe
 rent\, submesoscale (6-km) vortices along the edge of an ocean front is ex
 amined in concert with hydrographic measurements in an effort to understan
 d formation mechanisms of the submesoscale eddies. The infrared satellite 
 image consists of ocean surface temperatures at 390-m resolution over the 
 mid-latitude North Atlantic (48.69°N\, 16.19°W). Concomitant altimetric 
 observations coupled with regular spacing of the eddies suggests the eddie
 s result from mesoscale stirring\, filamentation and subsequent frontal in
 stability. While horizontal shear or barotropic instability (BTI) is one m
 echanism for generating such eddies (Munk's hypothesis)\, we conclude from
  linear theory coupled with the in situ data that mixed layer or submesosc
 ale baroclinic instability (BCI) is a more plausible explanation for the o
 bserved submesoscale vortices. Here\, we assume that the frontal disturban
 ce remains in its linear growth stage and is accurately described by linea
 r dynamics. This result likely has greater applicability to the open ocean
 —i.e.\, regions where the lateral shear is reduced relative to its value
  along coasts and within strong current systems. Given that such waters co
 mprise an appreciable percentage of the ocean surface and that energy flux
 es differ under BTI and BCI\, this result has wider implications for open-
 ocean energy budgets and parameterisations of these small-scale processes 
 within ocean general circulation models. In summary\, this work provides r
 are observational evidence of submesoscale eddy generation by BCI in the o
 pen ocean.
LOCATION:British Antarctic Survey\, Innovation Centre\, Seminar Room 2
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