Arctic Ocean circulation in an idealized numerical model
Name
264798851-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
11.02 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
815199e10f1dcd9cf0642d08571596c0
Author(s)
Sugimura, Peter Joseph
Advisor(s)
Peter Winsor.
Date Issued
2008
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The mid-to-deep Arctic Ocean is generally characterized by a cyclonic circulation, contained along shelves and ridges. Here we analyze the general Arctic circulation using an idealized numerical model consisting of a circular basin with two channels acting as inflow and outflow. We analyze the circulation (direction, strength and sensitivity) for wind forcing with and without bathymetry (ridges), and with and without stratification. We find that the circulation is modified drastically by both bathymetry and wind direction, where an altered wind field can change both the direction of the horizontal basin circulation as well as the strength of the inflow and outflow. The idealized circulations imply that the Arctic circulation, and the associated export of freshwater, can easily switch states in a changing climate.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-58).
Subjects
Joint Program in Physical Oceanography.
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
MIT Department
Joint Program in Physical Oceanography
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
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