The Role of Agulhas Rings in the Western South Atlantic

Florida State University, Tallahassee FL

Investigators

Abstract

PI: Nof Proposal: 9911324 Funds are provided for both analytical and numerical modeling of the influence of Agulhas eddies on the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence Zone. In particular, the influence of ring absorption on the temporal variability of the Brazil Current strength will be modeled. Variability of the strength of this current influences the migration of the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence Zone. Different hypotheses concerning the formation and detachment of intrusion eddies will also be tested. The modeling studies will begin with a simple reduced gravity, one and a half layer analytical model and a one and a half numerical isopycnic before moving on to more realistic two layer models.