Theoretical and Numerical Study of the Wind-Driven Circulation and Decadal Climate Variability

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

0094807 Huang The main objective of this project is to explore the fundamental structure of the wind-driven gyre and its associated climate variability on decadal time scales. A hierarchy of models will be used in the study, including multi-layer ventilated models with and without a mixed layer; a model for a continuously stratified ocean; an analytical solution with continuous stratification; and oceanic general circulation models. The goals are: (1) to study the structure of the wind-driven circulation in a single hemispheric basin; (2) to study the transient response of the thermocline to decadal climate variability, in particular, the three-dimensional structure of the decadal variability in the thermocline; (3) to study mixed-layer properties and the associated climate variability, using simple analytical models and oceanic general circulation models with a mixed layer; (4) to use inverse methods to study the structure of the thermocline in order to understand the dynamic processes that set up the wind-driven circulation and control the climate variability; and (5) to study water mass formation (subduction and obduction) in the world ocean.