Depth of the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave and Interactions with the Sea Ice Pack Forming Annually in the Seas around Antarctica

University Of California-San Diego Scripps Inst Of Oceanography, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Abstract

PI: White Proposal Number: 9910730 Funds are provided for the statistical analysis of historical data sets of sea surface temperature, sea level height, sea ice extent, sea ice concentration, surface air temperature, sea level pressure, surface wind, temperature profiles, salinity profiles, and drifter velocities to better understand the structure of the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW), a recently described feature of the climate system. In particular, the investigators will determine the depth to which the ACW signal occurs below the sea surface and its effect on the main pycnocline. They will also determine the coherence between the ACW and sea ice concentration in the Weddell and Ross Seas. This will assist in interpreting the potential role of the ACW in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water.