Resonse of equatorial oceans to periodic forcing

Journal Article · Fri Mar 20 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC086iC03p01903· OSTI ID:6458247

Philander, S G.H.; Pacanowski, R C

Oscillating wind with a period P induce variability with the following characteristics in the upper few hundred meters of the equatorial zone (5 /sup 0/N to 5 /sup 0/S) of the ocean. (1) P<10 days; these winds fluctuate too rapidly to generate strong currents and excite primarily waves. (2) 10 days 150 days: The amplitude of variability is almost independent of frequency. An equilibrium response which is in phase with the forcing and which corresponds to a succession of steady states is approached asymptotically. These time scales are for a basin 5000 km wide. If the width of the basis exceeds 5000 km, then the 150 daytime scale increases. In the deep ocean below the thermocline, motion corresponds to propagating waves generated by the divergence of the nonlinear currents in the upper ocean.

• Research Organization: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
• OSTI ID: 6458247
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:C3; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580500* -- Oceanography-- (1980-1989)
AMPLITUDES
CURRENTS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
EQUATOR
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
OSCILLATIONS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TROPICAL REGIONS
VARIATIONS
WATER CURRENTS
WATER WAVES
WIND