EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Heim et al. 1992
Heim, P.K., Johnson, M.A. and O'Brien, J.J. (1992). The influence of the Alaskan Gyre on the coastal circulation in the Gulf of Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research 97: doi: 10.1029/92JC01260. issn: 0148-0227.

A wind-driven, nonlinear, reduced gravity, primitive equation model is used to simulate the circulation of the northeast Pacific Ocean including the northeast Gulf of Alaska. The model includes the affects of bottom topography. Model geometry encompasses the entire Gulf of Alaska region from Vancouver Island to west of Kodiak Island. This is traditionally beyond the latitude limits of the reduced gravity model imposed by a weakening thermocline away from the equator. The model resolution, 0.025¿ in latitude and longitude, is very fine. This is the first time that a model of this type and resolution has been successfully run at these latitudes. Although we expected that such resolution would allow the mesoscale eddy field to develop, it did not. One reason may be the coarse spatial and temporal winds. Twenty years of Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set pseudo wind stress data used to drive the model are statistically analyzed to obtain a wind stress climatology. After model spin-up, the monthly stresses for 1986--1989 are used to drive the model. The model reproduces many of the regional oceanographic features such as the Alaskan Gyre, the Alaska Current, the Alaska Coastal Current, the Sitka eddy, and an intense, cyclonic eddy (that has not yet been reported in the literature) northwest of the Queen Charlotte Island in the spring. In addition, the model displays seasonal and interannual variability. Model results are validated through comparisons with National Ocean Service coastal sea level records and a multilayer, oceanic basin scale model being run at the Institute for Naval Oceanography. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1992

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Oceanography, Physical, Air-sea interactions, Oceanography, General, Numerical modeling, Oceanography, Physical, Eddies and mesoscale processes, Oceanography, General, Climate and interannual variability
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit