Accession Number:

ADA576315

Title:

Effect of Cylindrically Shaped Atoll on Westward-Propagating Anticyclonic Eddy - A Case Study

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA NAVAL OCEAN ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Chang, Yu-Chia
• Chen, Guan-Yu
• Tseng, Ruo-Shan
• Chu, Peter C.

Report Date:

2011-07-07

Pagination or Media Count:

5.0

Abstract:

Mesoscale anticyclonic eddies occasionally propagate westward across the Dongsha atoll situated on the continental slope in the northern South China Sea SCS. Satellite observations of this phenomenon are used to identify eddy weakening and deforming. Stronger anticyclonic eddies are weakening within a distance of 30-120 km from the atoll. A weaker anticyclone with an eddy diameter of 120 km, a sea-level slope of 8.3 x 10expn -8, a Reynolds number of 17, and a slow moving speed 2.5 kmd in the SCS can be split into two smaller eddies.

Descriptors:

• *ATOLLS
• *EDDIES(FLUID MECHANICS)
• BATHYMETRY
• CASE STUDIES
• CORIOLIS EFFECT
• EQUATIONS
• OCEAN SURFACE
• REYNOLDS NUMBER
• SOUTH CHINA SEA
• WIND

Subject Categories:

• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography
• Fluid Mechanics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE