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Variability of the Ross Gyre, Southern Ocean: Drivers and Responses Revealed by Satellite Altimetry
Author(s) -
Dotto Tiago S.,
Naveira Garabato Alberto,
Bacon Sheldon,
Tsamados Michel,
Holland Paul R.,
Hooley Jack,
FrajkaWilliams Eleanor,
Ridout Andy,
Meredith Michael P.
Publication year - 2018
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 - 10.1029/2018gl078607
Subject(s) - ocean gyre , geology , sea surface height , throughflow , oceanography , altimeter , ocean surface topography , climatology , sea ice , ocean current , forcing (mathematics) , sea surface temperature , geodesy , subtropics , fishery , soil science , biology
Year‐round variability in the Ross Gyre (RG), Antarctica, during 2011–2015, is derived using radar altimetry. The RG is characterized by a bounded recirculating component and a westward throughflow to the south. Two modes of variability of the sea surface height and ocean surface stress curl are revealed. The first represents a large‐scale sea surface height change forced by the Antarctic Oscillation. The second represents semiannual variability in gyre area and strength, driven by fluctuations in sea level pressure associated with the Amundsen Sea Low. Variability in the throughflow is also linked to the Amundsen Sea Low. An adequate description of the oceanic circulation is achieved only when sea ice drag is accounted for in the ocean surface stress. The drivers of RG variability elucidated here have significant implications for our understanding of the oceanic forcing of Antarctic Ice Sheet melting and for the downstream propagation of its ocean freshening footprint.