Coupled Dynamics of Large- and Meso-Scale Ocean Circulation

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9415512 Samelson This project is a theoretical and numerical investigation into the coupled dynamics of the large- and meso-scale circulation. The theoretical and conceptual work will be based on two sets of coupled equations, the planetary- geostrophic (PG) and quasi-geostrophic (QG) equations. The first part of the study focuses on the analysis of the subpolar gyre circulation in numerical solutions of the PG equations without any effects of mesocale eddies (uncoupled from the QG component). Double-gyre wind- and buoyancy- forced solutions of the PG model will be considered, analyzed in detail, and compared to existing theories of the gyre regimes. The second and third parts of the study will continue with the analysis of the coupled PG-QG model and will focus on the interaction between the mesoscale and large-scale flows.