(B202) <<< Previous | Back to Abstracts Page | Next >>> (B204)
What's wrong with Gulf of Mexico rings?
A. D. Kirwan, Jr., L. Kantha, A. Poje, B. L. Lipphardt, M. Zweng
University of Delaware
adk@udel.edu(Abstract received 04/29/2005 for session B)
ABSTRACT
The conceptual model of the circulation in the GoM is based on anticyclonic rings shed from the Loop Current migrating westward as isolated vortices and spinning down in the western Gulf. This model is validated by non-data sssimilating models. Data assimilating models agree with this picture in the eastern Gulf, but diverge dramatically at 93W. We have examined 11 rings with a data assimilating model and have been unable to find any that could be identified west of 93W where they dissolve abruptly. Three cases have been examined in detail. We found that the rings are torn apart by manifolds associated with baroclinic hyperbolic trajectories.
(B202) <<< Previous | Back to Abstracts Page | Next >>> (B204)
2005 LAPCOD Meeting, Lerici, Italy, June 13-17, 2005