Interaction between a surface quasi-geostrophic buoyancy anomaly jet and internal vortices
Abstract
This paper addresses the dynamical coupling of the ocean's surface and the ocean's interior. In particular, we investigate the dynamics of an oceanic surface jet, and its interaction with vortices at depth. The jet is induced by buoyancy (density) anomalies at the surface. We first focus on the jet alone. The linear stability indicates there are two modes of instability: the sinuous and the varicose modes. When a vortex in present below the jet, it interacts with it. The velocity field induced by the vortex perturbs the jet and triggers its destabilisation. The jet also influences the vortex by pushing it under a region of co-operative shear. Strong jets may also partially shear out the vortex. We also investigate the interaction between a surface jet and a vortex dipole in the interior. Again, strong jets may partially shear out the vortex structure. The jet also modifies the trajectory of the dipole. Dipoles travelling towards the jet at shallow incidence angles may be reflected by the jet. Vortices travelling at moderate incidence angles normally cross below the jet. This is related to the displacement of the two vortices of the dipole by the shear induced by the jet. Intense jets may also destabilise early and form streets of billows. These billows can pair with the vortices and separate the dipole.
Citation
Reinaud , J N , Dritschel , D G & Carton , X 2017 , ' Interaction between a surface quasi-geostrophic buoyancy anomaly jet and internal vortices ' , Physics of Fluids , vol. 29 , no. 8 , 086603 . https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4999474
Publication
Physics of Fluids
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1070-6631Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2017, the Author(s). This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4999474
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