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Antarctic Circumpolar Current transport and barotropic transition at Macquarie Ridge

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posted on 2023-05-18, 05:57 authored by Stephen Rintoul, Sokolov, S, Williams, M, Beatriz Pena-MolinoBeatriz Pena-Molino, Mark RosenbergMark Rosenberg, Nathaniel BindoffNathaniel Bindoff
©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Theory and numerical simulations suggest that topographic interactions are central to the dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), but few observations are available to test these ideas. We use direct velocity measurements, satellite altimetry, and an ocean state estimate to investigate the interaction of the ACC with the Macquarie Ridge. Satellite altimeter data show that the Subantarctic Front crosses the ridge through a gap immediately north of Macquarie Island. Yearlong current meter records reveal strong deep mean flow (>-0.2-m-s-1 at 3000-m) and substantial transport (52 ± 8 × 106-m3-s-1) in the 50-km wide gap. The ACC becomes much more barotropic at the ridge. Acceleration of the deep jet is balanced by the ageostrophic along-gap pressure gradient, convergence of zonal momentum by the mean vertical velocity, and dissipation. The study helps explain how the ACC negotiates large topographic obstacles and highlights the role of local, nonlinear processes in the dynamical balance of the ACC. Key Points Antarctic Circumpolar Current velocity was measured at Macquarie RidgeThe current becomes more barotropic as it crosses the ridgeLocal nonlinear processes accelerate deep jet

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

41

Issue

20

Pagination

7254-7261

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 American Geophysical Union

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)

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