Baroclinic Motions and Energetics as Measured by Altimeters
Name
Wunsch-2013-Baroclinic Motions a.pdf
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2.03 MB
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Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
9727ff510b059e2003f7c51798241de7
Author(s)
Wunsch, Carl Isaac
Date Issued
January 2013
Journal
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Citation
Wunsch, Carl. “Baroclinic Motions and Energetics as Measured by Altimeters.” Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 30, no. 1 (January 2013): 140-150. © 2013 American Meteorological Society
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Small surface displacements appearing in tide gauge and altimetric records are used to detect hydrostatic baroclinic modes in the ocean. Those deflections are a small fraction of the interior isopycnal vertical displacements and are dependent directly upon the in situ stratification. Conversion of surface height to interior amplitudes and energies encounters significant spatial and seasonal shifts that need to be accounted for in quantitative use. This technical article analyzes the global-scale spatial variations in the relationship between surface deflections and interior motions. Similar considerations make it possible to use altimetric data to estimate the deep interior temperature variability as a function of position, calculations having a strong influence on abyssal trend determination in the presence of eddies.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Terms of Use
Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1175/jtech-d-12-00035.1
