Equilibrium structure and dynamics of the California Current System

摘要: This paper addresses the structure and dynamical mechanisms of regional mesoscale physical variability in subtropical northeast Pacific Ocean using Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS). The model is configured with a U.S. West Coast domain that spans California Current (CCS) horizontal resolution up to as fine 3.5 km. Its mean-seasonal forcing by momentum, heat, water fluxes at surface adaptive nudging gyre-scale fields open boundaries. equilibrium solutions show realistic mean seasonal states vigorous eddies, fronts, filaments. level eddy kinetic energy (EKE) comparable drifter altimeter estimates sufficiently resolution. Because lacks nonseasonal transient forcing, authors conclude dominant CCS intrinsic rather than transiently forced. primary generation mechanism baroclinic instability upwelling, alongshore currents. There progressive movement meanseasonal currents offshore downward into oceanic interior an annually recurrent cycle. associated heat provide principal balance against nearshore cooling Ekman transport upwelling. are highly nonuniform along coast, important influences capes ridges both maintaining standing eddies launching filaments fronts.