Thermocline and Current Structure in Subtropical/Subpolar Basins

摘要

The structure of the thermocline and the currents within a two-layer model are explored as the amount of water in the upper layer is reduced (or the wind stress increased). When the amount of water in the upper layer is less than a first critical value, the lower layer outcrops near the middle of the western boundary, and a loop of boundary currents completely surround the outcropping zone. Part two discusses a continuously stratified model for thermocline and current structures in subtropical/subpolar basins. The ideal fluid thermocline equation system is a nonlinear, non-strict hyperbolic system. Its mathematical properties are studied, approaches to formulating proper boundary value problems discussed, and simple numerical solutions presented. The upper surface density, Ekman pumping, and also the functional form of the potential vorticity are specified.