On the near-inertial variations of meridional overturning circulation in the South China Sea
We examine near-inertial variability of the meridional overturning circulation in the South China Sea (SCSMOC) using a global 1 / 12° ocean reanalysis. Based on wavelet analysis and power spectrum, we suggest that deep SCSMOC has a significant near-inertial band. The maximum amplitude of the near-in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-03-01
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| Series: | Ocean Science |
| Online Access: | http://www.ocean-sci.net/12/335/2016/os-12-335-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | We examine near-inertial variability of the meridional overturning
circulation in the South China Sea (SCSMOC) using a global 1 / 12°
ocean reanalysis. Based on wavelet analysis and power spectrum, we suggest
that deep SCSMOC has a significant near-inertial band. The maximum amplitude
of the near-inertial signal in the SCSMOC is nearly 4 Sv. The spatial
structure of the signal features regularly alternating counterclockwise and
clockwise overturning cells. It is also found that the near-inertial signal
of SCSMOC mainly originates from the region near the Luzon Strait and
propagates equatorward at a speed of 1–3 m s<sup>−1</sup>. Further analyses suggest
that the near-inertial signal in the SCSMOC is triggered by high-frequency
wind variability near the Luzon Strait, where geostrophic shear always
exists due to Kuroshio intrusion. |
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| ISSN: | 1812-0784 1812-0792 |