Coastal currents and eddies and their interaction with topography |
| |
| Authors: | Byoung Woong An NRobb McDonald |
| |
| Institution: | Department of Mathematics, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK |
| |
| Abstract: | The nonlinear interaction of vorticity driven coastal currents and eddies with topography is studied. The topography is either a semi-infinite escarpment perpendicular to the coast (such that topographic waves propagate toward the coast) or a semi-circular canyon or seamount attached to the coast. Assuming a piecewise constant potential vorticity distribution, the quasigeostrophic equations are solved using contour dynamics. Offshore propagating dipole eddies occur, whenever a coastal current or eddy interacts with escarpment and canyon topographies. The size and frequency at which dipoles form are found to depend on the vorticity of the current and amplitude of the topography. However, for a seamount, little eddy shedding is observed and the coastal current or eddy skirts around topography. |
| |
| Keywords: | Coastal currents Eddies Vorticity dynamics Topographic waves Topography |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
