The oceanic energy cascade to the submesoscale

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Ocean currents and atmospheric winds are inherently intertwined and have a strong impact on planktonic communities. Across the globe, winds drive the general circulation of the ocean providing it with energy on very large length-scales (on the order of 1000 km). This energy then cascades down to smaller and smaller length scales until it eventually dissipates. The mechanisms through which the ocean transfers energy through this vast range of scales are well understood at the two ends of the spectrum: the large scales where the motion is nearly two-dimensional and the small scale where the motion is fully three-dimensional. In-between the two, the intermediate scales, which are quasi-three dimensional, are more complex and not yet well understood. This research program aims to contribute to our understanding of how the energy in the ocean cascades down to these intermediate scales.