Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study
Three hindcast simulations of the global ocean circulation differing by resolution (1/4 or 1/12°) or parametrization or atmospheric forcing are used to describe the interactions between the large anticyclonic eddies generated by the Somali Current system during the Southwest Monsoon. The pr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Ocean Science |
| Online Access: | http://www.ocean-sci.net/12/185/2016/os-12-185-2016.pdf |
| _version_ | 1831770075878653952 |
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| author | C. Q. C. Akuetevi B. Barnier J. Verron J.-M. Molines A. Lecointre |
| author_facet | C. Q. C. Akuetevi B. Barnier J. Verron J.-M. Molines A. Lecointre |
| author_sort | C. Q. C. Akuetevi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Three hindcast simulations of the global ocean circulation
differing by resolution (1/4 or 1/12°) or
parametrization or atmospheric forcing are used to
describe the interactions between the large anticyclonic
eddies generated by the Somali Current system during the
Southwest Monsoon. The present investigation of the
Somalian coherent eddy structures allows us to identify
the origin and the subsequent development of the cyclones
flanked upon the Great Whirl (GW) previously identified
by Beal and Donohue (2013) in satellite observations and to
establish that similar cyclones are also flanked upon the
Southern Gyre (SG). These cyclones are identified as
potential actors in mixing water masses within the large
eddies and offshore the coast of Somalia.
<br><br>
All three simulations bring to light that during the
period when the Southwest Monsoon is well established, the
SG moves northward along the Somali coast and encounters
the GW. The interaction between the SG and the GW is
a collision without merging, in a way that has not been described
in observations up to now. During the collision the GW
is pushed to the east of Socotra Island, sheds several
smaller patches of anticyclonic vorticity, and often
reforms into the Socotra Eddy, thus proposing a formation
mechanism for that eddy. During this process the GW gives
up its place to the SG. This process is robust throughout the three simulations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T07:33:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9485e3f132cb45c0889230c50fb22aff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1812-0784 1812-0792 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T07:33:42Z |
| publishDate | 2016-02-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ocean Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-9485e3f132cb45c0889230c50fb22aff2022-12-21T18:33:57ZengCopernicus PublicationsOcean Science1812-07841812-07922016-02-0112118520510.5194/os-12-185-2016Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical studyC. Q. C. Akuetevi0B. Barnier1J. Verron2J.-M. Molines3A. Lecointre4LGGE, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, FranceLGGE, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, FranceLGGE, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, FranceLGGE, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, FranceISTERRE, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38041 Grenoble, FranceThree hindcast simulations of the global ocean circulation differing by resolution (1/4 or 1/12°) or parametrization or atmospheric forcing are used to describe the interactions between the large anticyclonic eddies generated by the Somali Current system during the Southwest Monsoon. The present investigation of the Somalian coherent eddy structures allows us to identify the origin and the subsequent development of the cyclones flanked upon the Great Whirl (GW) previously identified by Beal and Donohue (2013) in satellite observations and to establish that similar cyclones are also flanked upon the Southern Gyre (SG). These cyclones are identified as potential actors in mixing water masses within the large eddies and offshore the coast of Somalia. <br><br> All three simulations bring to light that during the period when the Southwest Monsoon is well established, the SG moves northward along the Somali coast and encounters the GW. The interaction between the SG and the GW is a collision without merging, in a way that has not been described in observations up to now. During the collision the GW is pushed to the east of Socotra Island, sheds several smaller patches of anticyclonic vorticity, and often reforms into the Socotra Eddy, thus proposing a formation mechanism for that eddy. During this process the GW gives up its place to the SG. This process is robust throughout the three simulations.http://www.ocean-sci.net/12/185/2016/os-12-185-2016.pdf |
| spellingShingle | C. Q. C. Akuetevi B. Barnier J. Verron J.-M. Molines A. Lecointre Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study Ocean Science |
| title | Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study |
| title_full | Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study |
| title_fullStr | Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study |
| title_short | Interactions between the Somali Current eddies during the summer monsoon: insights from a numerical study |
| title_sort | interactions between the somali current eddies during the summer monsoon insights from a numerical study |
| url | http://www.ocean-sci.net/12/185/2016/os-12-185-2016.pdf |
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