Modeling large-scale instabilities in the Kuroshio extension |
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| Authors: | Chang-Kou Tai Pearn P Niiler |
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| Institution: | Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093 U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Large-scale instabilities of mid-latitude jets (with continuous horizontal and vertical shear) are studied using a long wave approximation, which is valid for disturbances of length scales greater than the internal Rossby radius of deformation. These large-scale instabilities are abundant in the Kuroshio Extension according to observations. Results show westward propagation if the total transport is westward (although the jet near surface is eastward). Large-scale instabilities gain energy from the release of available potential energy, but lose part of the gain to the mean flow by reinforcing the eastward jet near surface. The Reynolds stress tends to be positive north of the jet and negative south of the jet through all depths, which is consistent with observations. |
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