374
a
Equatorial Dynamics of the Thermocline: The Equatorial Undercurrent
B westward flow
D eastward flow
~thermocline
-·- EUC core
-
zero net occelerotion
--- ·Px/P 0 • (11u 2 )1 • 0
..... ·PxiPo• A V 2 u • 0
-
·Px/P 0 •0
--- ( 11uzlz • 0
Fig. 6.7.4a,b. "Cartoon" showing schematically the balances in the zonal momentum equation
along the equator in a vertical plane as manifested in the Philander and Pacanowski model. (From
Wacongne 1989)
model most of the water in the EUC travels a considerable distance from deep
within the subtropical gyre and its tendency to carry its midlatitude values of
potential vorticity to the EUC emphasizes the dynamic link between them. The
general circulation of the equatorial regions is therefore an integral part of the
overall thermocline circulation, and in particular its potential vorticity is determined by advection to the equatorial region by flow in the subtropical gyre.
a
Equatorial Dynamics of the Thermocline: The Equatorial Undercurrent
B westward flow
D eastward flow
~thermocline
-·- EUC core
-
zero net occelerotion
--- ·Px/P 0 • (11u 2 )1 • 0
..... ·PxiPo• A V 2 u • 0
-
·Px/P 0 •0
--- ( 11uzlz • 0
Fig. 6.7.4a,b. "Cartoon" showing schematically the balances in the zonal momentum equation
along the equator in a vertical plane as manifested in the Philander and Pacanowski model. (From
Wacongne 1989)
model most of the water in the EUC travels a considerable distance from deep
within the subtropical gyre and its tendency to carry its midlatitude values of
potential vorticity to the EUC emphasizes the dynamic link between them. The
general circulation of the equatorial regions is therefore an integral part of the
overall thermocline circulation, and in particular its potential vorticity is determined by advection to the equatorial region by flow in the subtropical gyre.