Study of Ageostrophy during Strong, Nonlinear Eddy-Front Interaction in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Mesoscale eddies drive a large fraction of the variability in the ocean. Eddies with strong tangential velocity compared to their translation speed are able to stay coherent and travel long distances, carrying water mass properties, heat, nutrients, and particles around the ocean. The nonlinearity of these mesoscale features is greater for stronger flow and greater curvature, which, consequently, is associated with greater centrifugal force.