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Global correlation of mesoscale ocean variability with seafloor roughness from satellite altimetry
Author(s) -
Gille Sarah T.,
Yale Mara M.,
Sandwell David T.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl007003
Subject(s) - bathymetry , altimeter , geology , mesoscale meteorology , kinetic energy , dissipation , seafloor spreading , satellite , surface roughness , sea surface height , abyssal zone , surface finish , remote sensing , geophysics , climatology , oceanography , physics , materials science , quantum mechanics , astronomy , composite material , thermodynamics
Both seafloor bathymetry and eddy kinetic energy at the ocean surface can be estimated by making use of satellite altimeters. Comparing the two quantities shows that in regions of the ocean deeper than about 4800m, surface eddy kinetic energy is greater over smooth abyssal plains than over rough bathymetry, while the opposite is true in shallower waters. Thus in the deep ocean, bottom roughness may dissipate eddy kinetic energy. A simple model indicates that the dissipation rate increases as root‐mean‐squared bottom roughness increases from 0 to 250 m and decreases to negative values (implying eddy generation) for higher roughness.