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Observed Deep Anticyclonic Cap Over Caiwei Guyot
Author(s) -
Guo Binbin,
Wang Weiqiang,
Shu Yeqiang,
He Gaowen,
Zhang Dongsheng,
Deng Xiguang,
Liang Qianyong,
Yang Yong,
Xie Qiang,
Wang Haifeng,
Wang Jun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9291
pISSN - 2169-9275
DOI - 10.1029/2020jc016254
Subject(s) - anticyclone , seamount , geology , summit , circulation (fluid dynamics) , oceanography , climatology , geography , mechanics , physics , physical geography
The mean circulation pattern and its mechanism over Caiwei Guyot (1,308–5,600 m) in the Northwest Pacific were studied utilizing 3 years of in situ data. A deep anticyclonic cap was found to enclose the entire guyot from its bottom up to a depth of 728 m, which is composed of a stable but highly asymmetric anticyclonic circulation at the foot and a bottom‐trapped anticyclonic circulation over the summit. On the slope, the circulation is complex with a dominant anticyclonic circulation near the bottom and a weak cyclonic circulation at ∼2,200 m. The anticyclonic cap intensity over the summit is significantly modulated by the time‐varying impinging flow. An intensified cold ring above the summit edge was observed at Caiwei Guyot, which differs from the cold domes observed over traditional conic seamounts. Further analysis suggests that the impinging flow is primarily responsible for the cap formation, and the M 2 tide‐seamount interaction plays a secondary role. The anticyclonic cap may play a role in the local geological distribution.