Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models
<p>Fram Strait, the deepest gateway to the Arctic Ocean, is strongly influenced by eddy dynamics. Here we analyse the output from two eddy-resolving models (ROMS – Regional Ocean Modeling System; FESOM – Finite-Element Sea-ice Ocean Model) with around 1 km mesh resolution in Fram St...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Ocean Science |
| Online Access: | https://os.copernicus.org/articles/16/1225/2020/os-16-1225-2020.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818873010091720704 |
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| author | C. Wekerle T. Hattermann T. Hattermann Q. Wang L. Crews L. Crews W.-J. von Appen S. Danilov |
| author_facet | C. Wekerle T. Hattermann T. Hattermann Q. Wang L. Crews L. Crews W.-J. von Appen S. Danilov |
| author_sort | C. Wekerle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Fram Strait, the deepest gateway to the Arctic Ocean, is strongly influenced by eddy dynamics. Here we analyse the output from two eddy-resolving models (ROMS – Regional Ocean Modeling System; FESOM – Finite-Element Sea-ice Ocean Model) with around 1 km mesh resolution in Fram Strait, with a focus on their representation of eddy properties and dynamics. A comparison with mooring observations shows that both models reasonably simulate hydrography and eddy kinetic energy. Despite differences in model formulation, they show relatively similar eddy properties. The eddies have a mean radius of 4.9 and 5.6 km in ROMS and FESOM, respectively, with slightly more cyclones (ROMS: 54 %, FESOM: 55 %) than anticyclones. The mean lifetime of detected eddies is relatively short in both simulations (ROMS: 10 d, FESOM: 11 d), and the mean travel distance is 35 km in both models. More anticyclones are trapped in deep depressions or move toward deep locations. The two models show comparable spatial patterns of baroclinic and barotropic instability. ROMS has relatively stronger eddy intensity and baroclinic instability, possibly due to its smaller grid size, while FESOM has stronger eddy kinetic energy in the West Spitsbergen Current. Overall, the relatively good agreement between the two models strengthens our confidence in their ability to realistically represent the Fram Strait ocean dynamics and also highlights the need for very high mesh resolution.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T12:47:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1cd42702a5bc46cb9abd42d5f211e598 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1812-0784 1812-0792 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T12:47:54Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ocean Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-1cd42702a5bc46cb9abd42d5f211e5982022-12-21T20:20:41ZengCopernicus PublicationsOcean Science1812-07841812-07922020-10-01161225124610.5194/os-16-1225-2020Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice modelsC. Wekerle0T. Hattermann1T. Hattermann2Q. Wang3L. Crews4L. Crews5W.-J. von Appen6S. Danilov7Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, GermanyNorwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, NorwayEnergy and Climate Group, Department of Physics and Technology, The Arctic University of Tromsø, Tromsø, NorwayAlfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, GermanySchool of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, USAApplied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, USAAlfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, GermanyAlfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany<p>Fram Strait, the deepest gateway to the Arctic Ocean, is strongly influenced by eddy dynamics. Here we analyse the output from two eddy-resolving models (ROMS – Regional Ocean Modeling System; FESOM – Finite-Element Sea-ice Ocean Model) with around 1 km mesh resolution in Fram Strait, with a focus on their representation of eddy properties and dynamics. A comparison with mooring observations shows that both models reasonably simulate hydrography and eddy kinetic energy. Despite differences in model formulation, they show relatively similar eddy properties. The eddies have a mean radius of 4.9 and 5.6 km in ROMS and FESOM, respectively, with slightly more cyclones (ROMS: 54 %, FESOM: 55 %) than anticyclones. The mean lifetime of detected eddies is relatively short in both simulations (ROMS: 10 d, FESOM: 11 d), and the mean travel distance is 35 km in both models. More anticyclones are trapped in deep depressions or move toward deep locations. The two models show comparable spatial patterns of baroclinic and barotropic instability. ROMS has relatively stronger eddy intensity and baroclinic instability, possibly due to its smaller grid size, while FESOM has stronger eddy kinetic energy in the West Spitsbergen Current. Overall, the relatively good agreement between the two models strengthens our confidence in their ability to realistically represent the Fram Strait ocean dynamics and also highlights the need for very high mesh resolution.</p>https://os.copernicus.org/articles/16/1225/2020/os-16-1225-2020.pdf |
| spellingShingle | C. Wekerle T. Hattermann T. Hattermann Q. Wang L. Crews L. Crews W.-J. von Appen S. Danilov Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models Ocean Science |
| title | Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models |
| title_full | Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models |
| title_fullStr | Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models |
| title_short | Properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in Fram Strait from a comparison between two high-resolution ocean–sea ice models |
| title_sort | properties and dynamics of mesoscale eddies in fram strait from a comparison between two high resolution ocean sea ice models |
| url | https://os.copernicus.org/articles/16/1225/2020/os-16-1225-2020.pdf |
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