The Conrad Rise as an obstruction to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Durgadoo, Jonathan V. , Lutjeharms, J. R. E., Biastoch, Arne and Ansorge, I. J. (2008) The Conrad Rise as an obstruction to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Open Access Geophysical Research Letters, 35 (20). L20606. DOI 10.1029/2008GL035382.

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Abstract

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) carries water freely around the whole continent of Antarctica, but not without obstructions. Some, such as the Drake Passage, constrict its path, while others, such as mid-ocean ridges, may induce meandering in the current's cores and may cause the genesis of mesoscale turbulence. It has recently been demonstrated that some regions that are only relatively shallow may also have a major effect on the flow patterns of the ACC. This is here shown to be particularly true for the Conrad Rise. Using the trajectories of surface drifters, altimetry and the simulated velocities from a numerical model, we show that the ACC bifurcates at the western side of this Rise. In this process it forms two intense jets at the two meridional extremities of the Rise with a relatively stagnant water body over the Rise itself. Preliminary results from a recent cruise provide compelling support for this portrayal.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: ANTARCTIC CIRCUMPOLAR CURRENT, global circulation, ocean model, OGCM, seamount
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-TM Theory and Modeling
OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: AGU (American Geophysical Union)
Projects: Future Ocean
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 03 Dec 2008 16:52
Last Modified: 08 Nov 2017 09:23
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/2486

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