Mizuno and White (1983) reported identification of a quasi-stationary meander pattern (Kuroshio Meander) in the Kuroshio Extension in the vicinity of the Shatsky Rise (160☎). For example, the Kuroshio Current south of Japan exists in one of two stable paths, a zonal path and a meander path, each lasting for a period of years. Reprinted with permission.)Īpart from the most stable meander found in the Gulf Stream, meanders are commonly also found in the other major western boundary current systems. The deep western boundary current flows along the 3,400 m isobath and crosses under the Gulf Stream near Cape Hatteras to flow further southward. The large-scale meandering of the Gulf Stream results in mesoscale eddies while interacting with the subbasin-scale gyres (NRG and SRG). Artist’s rendition of a multiscale circulation of the Gulf Stream (GS) meander and ring region. Large-scale meandering of oceanic currents results in shedding of mesoscale eddies and rings.įIGURE 1.1. For example, Figure 1.1 shows an artist’s rendition of a multiscale circulation of the Gulf Stream (GS) meander and ring region. From the pressure record it was noticed that these motions are not random but were clearly a result of the dynamics of curvilinear motion. It was observed that during the float’s 2,100 km journey to the east, its lateral displacements relative to the current were less than 100 km. A striking aspect of this and all other float tracks in the Gulf Stream was found to be the tendency for floats to shoal from meander trough to crest and to deepen from a meander crest to the next trough. In this example, the mean speed of the float was 55 cm/s. The trajectory exhibited the characteristic wavy nature of the meandering Gulf Stream. (1986) have provided an example of the space-time evolution of the meandering current, based on the trajectory of a subsurface float. Several subsurface floats have been launched in the Gulf Stream (off the east coast of North America) since the beginning of 1983. Trajectories of surface floats and subsurface floats over large areas in the oceans have shed much light on the complex motions of oceanic waters such as meandering currents, eddy motions, and rings.
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