Other
Scientific paper
Jan 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005georl..3201605v&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 32, Issue 1, CiteID L01605
Other
1
Oceanography: General: Equatorial Oceanography, Oceanography: Physical: Coriolis Effects, Oceanography: Physical: Fine Structure And Microstructure, Oceanography: Physical: Internal And Inertial Waves
Scientific paper
The near-equatorial region is importantly different from other ocean areas: it acts as a barrier for large-scale meridional circulation, because the strongest currents are directed East-West, and it shows weak interior mixing despite large internal wave shear. All seems related to a change in importance of the vertical `inertial' component of the earth's rotation. As rotational effects dominate large-scale ocean motions through a geostrophic balance, they become negligible at the equator. Here, deep-ocean observational evidence is presented of hitherto neglected rotational effects. It is demonstrated that when the equator is approached near-inertial internal wave motions very suddenly rather than smoothly change polarization from near-circular to near-rectilinear within half a degree across latitudes |$\varphi$| = 1.5 +/- 0.5°. At the same latitudes sudden transitions are observed of large-scale kinetic energy and small-scale density stratification variations. Understanding the above requires a non-traditional approach in which the horizontal component of earth's rotation is considered.
No associations
LandOfFree
Sharp near-equatorial transitions in inertial motions and deep-ocean step-formation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Sharp near-equatorial transitions in inertial motions and deep-ocean step-formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sharp near-equatorial transitions in inertial motions and deep-ocean step-formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-901959