Cover: The Effects of Western Coastal Orientation on Rossby-Wave Reflection and the Resulting Large-Scale Oceanic Circulation

The Effects of Western Coastal Orientation on Rossby-Wave Reflection and the Resulting Large-Scale Oceanic Circulation

by W. Lawrence Gates

Purchase

Purchase Print Copy

 FormatList Price Price
Add to Cart Paperback54 pages $23.00 $18.40 20% Web Discount

The effect of the orientation of the western shore on the structure and behavior of large-scale currents in a homogeneous wind-driven ocean of uniform depth is investigated through time-dependent numerical integrations of a primitive dynamical model. These solutions are shown to consist primarily of transient Rossby waves reflected from the western shore, whose characteristics correspond well with the results of linear inviscid theory during the earlier portion of their life cycle. The reflection of the waves' group velocity appears to determine the location of maximum current variability in the western part of the basin. The western boundary current is weakened with increasing deviation of the western coast from a north/south orientation, while the strength of the counter-current is not.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Research memorandum series. The Research Memorandum was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 1973 that represented working papers meant to report current results of RAND research to appropriate audiences.

This research in the public interest was supported by RAND, using discretionary funds made possible by the generosity of RAND's donors, the fees earned on client-funded research, and independent research and development (IR&D) funds provided by the Department of Defense.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.