Coastal currents and eddies and their interaction with topography

Interaction of dipolar vortices with a step-like topography

“…[5][6][7] In particular, Zavala Sansón et al 7 showed that the exchange of fluid between shallow and deep regions induce the creation of vortices at the step. An and McDonald 8 reported similar results by means of contour dynamics numerical simulations. Another important feature of the coastal current-step problem is the formation of a weak flow along the topography, which moves with shallow water on its right ͑see also Carnevale et al 9 ͒.…”

Transformation of an Agulhas eddy near the continental slope

“…Unlike most of these studies, Wang (1992); Sanson and van Heijst (2000); An and McDonald (2005) and Tenreiro et al (2006) show offshore propagating dipole eddies that evolve in association with an eddy-slope interaction process. Sanson and van Heijst (2000) used a barotopic finite difference model to simulate the evolution of an eastward propagating dipole that formed due to the interaction of an anticyclone with a western boundary continental slope and stress the importance of the interaction of barotropic vortices with coastal topography.…”

“…Further studies by Shi and Nof (1993); Sanson and van Heijst (2000); Sutyrin et al (2003); Frolov et al (2004); An and McDonald (2005) and Tenreiro et al (2006) also highlight the importance of a counter-rotating eddy in the eddyslope interaction process. Shi and Nof (1993) examine the process of a violent eddy-wall collision using contour dynamics and find that the parent eddy can split into two eddies that propagate along the wall-like boundary in opposing directions under the image effect; the parent eddy carries the core water properties, while the counter-rotating eddy comprises fluid from along the rim of the parent eddy.…”

“…The barotropic dipole configuration will also be explored in the current study but for a Southern Hemisphere case. Wang (1992) and An and McDonald (2005) used a barotropic, quasigeostrophic, contour dynamics model with a semi-infinite escarpment topography. An and McDonald (2005) suggest offshore propagating dipoles will occur whenever an eddy or coastal current interacts with canyon and escarpment topographies.…”

“…Wang (1992) and An and McDonald (2005) used a barotropic, quasigeostrophic, contour dynamics model with a semi-infinite escarpment topography. An and McDonald (2005) suggest offshore propagating dipoles will occur whenever an eddy or coastal current interacts with canyon and escarpment topographies. Wang (1992) used an f -plane and β-plane primitive equation model with an exponential topography to show that cross topography volume transport can originate from different parts of the slope as a function of topography and penetration distance of the eddy forcing.…”