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A new mechanism for the generation of quasi‐zonal jets in the ocean
Author(s) -
Wang Jinbo,
Spall Michael A.,
Flierl Glenn R.,
MalanotteRizzoli Paola
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1029/2012gl051861
Subject(s) - barotropic fluid , geostrophic wind , nonlinear system , boundary current , geophysics , geology , amplitude , current (fluid) , geostrophic current , physics , boundary (topology) , wavelength , baroclinity , mechanics , ocean current , climatology , oceanography , optics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , quantum mechanics
A simple barotropic quasi‐geostrophic model is used to demonstrate that instabilities radiated from an unstable eastern boundary current can generate zonal striations in the ocean interior with realistic wavelengths and amplitudes. Nonlinear transfer of energy from the more unstable trapped modes is important for radiating modes to overcome friction. The dynamics shown here are generic enough to point to the eastern boundary current as a likely source of the observed striations extending from oceanic eastern boundaries.