Modelling Antarctic Flows

• The large rotating Coriolis platform was used to investigate oceanographic flows of particular importance in the Antarctic region. Topographic features (such as canyons and ridges) on continental slopes were found to direct dense overflows downslope and increase the entrainment of ambient water into the overflow, as compared to flows on smooth slopes. In cases where dense flows on slopes generate eddies in the overlying fluid, simulated ice shelves were found to present a substantial obstacle to the flow, diverting the eddies downslope and impeding the flow of dense water into the ice shelf cavity. However, if the ambient water was stratified (as is the case in the winter around Antarctica) the ice shelf may not obstruct the flow, leading to seasonal differences in the flow of dense water into the ice shelf cavities. The exchange of flow between ice shelf cavities and the open water, driven by the generation of dense High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW) outside the cavity and relatively light meltwater within the cavity, was also modelled.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Oceanografi, hydrologi och vattenresurser (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Antarctic flows

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