Accession Number:

AD0729013

Title:

The General Circulation in the Gulf of Mexico as a Two-Layer Basin,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

TEXAS A AND M UNIV COLLEGE STATION DEPT OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Personal Author(s):

• Ichiye,Takashi

Report Date:

1971-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

58.0

Abstract:

The general circulation in the Gulf of Mexico is treated with two-layer ocean models. Scaling of vorticity equation for the upper layer with the motionless lower layer indicates that the inertia, horizontal eddy viscosity and wind-stress terms are unimportant compared with planetary vorticity and friction proportional to velocity terms for time scales longer than a few months and that a non-stationary motion like Loop Current may develop within a few weeks. Analytical solutions of the linearized transport vorticity equation with planetary vorticity and frictional terms are obtained by use of a Green function method for a rectangular, two-ports basin similar to the Gulf. An equation for change of the upper layer depth along a streamline is obtained from the integral relationships of the non-linear equations of motion. Author

Descriptors:

• (*OCEAN CURRENTS
• MEXICO GULF)
• OCEAN MODELS
• EQUATIONS OF MOTION
• NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
• VELOCITY
• BOUNDARY LAYER

Subject Categories:

• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE