The modulation of the seasonal variability of the surface eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the Kuroshio extension (KE) region induced by the stable and unstable KE states is analyzed using satellite-based observations and high-resolution ocean reanalysis data. The two KE states are found to strongly modulate the seasonal variability of the local surface EKE: the latter reaches its maximum in May–July if the KE is in its stable state, while it peaks in August–October if the KE is in its unstable state. Further investigation indicates that such behavior is mainly caused by the different baroclinic energy transfers induced by the meridional density gradients associated with the two KE states.
On the Role of the Kuroshio Extension Bimodality in Modulating the Surface Eddy Kinetic Energy Seasonal Variability
Pierini S.
2020-01-01
Abstract
The modulation of the seasonal variability of the surface eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the Kuroshio extension (KE) region induced by the stable and unstable KE states is analyzed using satellite-based observations and high-resolution ocean reanalysis data. The two KE states are found to strongly modulate the seasonal variability of the local surface EKE: the latter reaches its maximum in May–July if the KE is in its stable state, while it peaks in August–October if the KE is in its unstable state. Further investigation indicates that such behavior is mainly caused by the different baroclinic energy transfers induced by the meridional density gradients associated with the two KE states.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
