FN Archimer Export Format
PT J
TI Mesoscale variability from a high-resolution model and from altimeter data in the North Atlantic Ocean
BT 
AF BRACHET, Sidonie
   LE TRAON, Pierre-Yves
   LE PROVOST, Christine
AS 1:1;2:1;3:2;
FF 1:;2:;3:;
C1 CLS, Space Oceanog Div, F-31526 Ramonville St Agne, France.
   Lab Etud Geophys & Oceanog Spatiales, Toulouse, France.
C2 CLS, Space Oceanog Div, F-31526 Ramonville St Agne, France.
   Lab Etud Geophys & Oceanog Spatiales, Toulouse, France.
IF 2.839
TC 39
UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00087/19841/17491.pdf
LA English
DT Article
DE ;eddy kinetic energy;North Atlantic Ocean
AB The objective of the paper is to analyze the degree of realism of the Parallel Ocean Program ( POP) model of the Los Alamos Laboratory using the combined TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-1/2 (TPERS) sea level anomaly (SLA) data sets and to present a detailed study of mesoscale characteristics in the North Atlantic. This description spans 8 years of data from 1993 to 2000. At first, we focus on the analysis of the mean eddy kinetic energy ( EKE) and show that the major characteristics of mesoscale variability are realistically simulated despite an overestimation of the EKE model in the Gulf Stream region. We then describe the SLA space and timescales and propagation velocities at a resolution never achieved before. There is a high level of agreement between the model and altimeter values regarding spatial scales and propagation velocities. POP timescales are, however, significantly longer in the subtropical regions. The westward zonal propagation velocity of both the model and the observations are higher than the speed computed from standard Rossby wave theory. The effect of mean current advection on POP and TPERS propagation velocities is also clearly seen in the Labrador Current and in the Gulf Stream and its recirculations. Finally, a study of the seasonal and interannual variability of the high-frequency (HF) EKE is carried out. The model reproduces accurately most of the HF-EKE seasonal variations in the Caribbean Sea and at high latitudes despite a phase advance. A clear HF-EKE interannual variability is then evidenced. Our hypothesis is that a contraction of the subpolar and subtropical gyres due to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) could explain a reduction of the eddy activity in the North Atlantic Current, in the Newfoundland basin, and in the Azores Current. In the Caribbean Sea, the interannual variability of the EKE for both POP and TPERS seems to be caused by an interannual variability of the wind stress.
PY 2004
PD DEC
SO Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans
SN 0148-0227
PU Amer Geophysical Union
VL 109
IS C1205
UT 000226027400001
DI 10.1029/2004JC002360
ID 19841
ER

EF