Global effects of changes in wind forcing of Southern Indian Ocean

Conference · Tue Jan 09 04:00:00 EST 1990 · EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States)

OSTI ID:6881329

Altman, D B ^[1]; Semtner, A J ^[2]; Chervin, R M ^[3]

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1. Northwest Research Assoc., Bellevue, WA (United States)
2. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (United States)
3. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)

An identical twin numerical experiment has been performed using the global ocean circulation model of Semtner and Chervin. The wind forcing within a band of 120[degree] East [+-] 45[degrees] and 50[degrees] South [+-] 5[degrees] was varied smoothly in space and time to be approximately 4% greater for the twin run than the original. The twin experiment was run for 60 model days. Within nine days small changes of mass transport of the N. Guiana current were observed. Within 24 days changes appeared in mass transport of Pacific Equatorial Rossby waves, and after 60 days mass transport changes were seen in all ocean basins. Within three days small differences in 160 m (mid-thermocline) temperature appeared in the Atlantic basin. Within thirty days, similar changes were evident globally. Similar results were found for mid-thermocline horizontal velocity. These results imply a predictability limit to the accuracy of ocean circulation models due to rapid communication of wave energy between ocean basins. Changes to Pacific Equatorial Rossby wave transport imply possible effects on El Nino by Southern Indian Ocean winds via oceanic coupling.

• OSTI ID: 6881329
• Report Number(s): CONF-9002174--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: EOS, Transactions, American Geophysical Union; (United States) Journal Volume: 71:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540310* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
COUPLING
CURRENTS
ENERGY
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GRAVITY WAVES
INDIAN OCEAN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OCEANIC CIRCULATION
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CURRENTS
WATER WAVES
WIND