Generation of Submesoscale Frontal Eddies in the Agulhas Current. Issue 11 (12th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tedesco, P.; Gula, J.; Ménesguen, C.; Penven, P.; Krug, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 124:Issue 11(2019)
• Page Start: 7606
• Page End: 7625
• Publication Date: 2019-11-12
• Subjects: Submesoscale -- Numerical Modelling -- Barotropic Instability -- Agulhas Current -- Frontal Eddies; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1029/2019JC015229
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: This study addresses the dynamics of the Agulhas inshore front in the submesoscale range upstream of 26° E. Submesoscale frontal eddies are observed in the vicinity of Port Elizabeth (26° E) from satellite images and in observations collected from underwater gliders. Using a submesoscale‐resolving numerical model (dx ∼ 0.75 km), we are able to simulate similar submesoscale eddies. Barotropic instability is confirmed as the generation mechanism by a one‐dimensional linear stability analysis and an eddy kinetic energy budget. Kinetic energy is transferred from the mean flow to the eddies through the mean horizontal shear, which is a signature of barotropic instability. When the Agulhas Current is in a nonmeandering state, submesoscale eddy generation is a recurrent process which locally drives the front's variability. Along the front, the spatial variability of barotropic instability is shaped by the background strain. A large strain aligned with the frontal axis intensifies the frontal shear upstream of 28° E while a weakening of the strain allows for barotropic instability to be triggered downstream. Although an intermittent process, the barotropic instability shows a dominant period of variability comparable with the variability of the Agulhas Current and Undercurrent. Key Points: Submesoscale frontal eddies are generated due to barotropic instability in the Agulhas Current The background strain provides favorable conditions for instability generation A new regime of variability is highlighted in addition to the two modes described by Paldor and Lutjeharms (2009)