Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
components of the vertically averaged momentum equation for steady motions in
the mixed layer can then be written as
αu
−
βyv
+
∂/∂x
=
0
(11.50)
αv
+
βyu
+
∂/∂y
=
0
(11.51)
whereas the continuity equation can be expressed as
αh
+
H
b
(1
−
ε)(∂u/∂x
+
∂v/∂y)
=
0
(11.52)
where ε is a coefficient that is zero in the absence of convection and of order 3/4
when convection occurs. Substituting from (11.49) into (11.52) yields
c
b
(1
α
+
−
ε)(∂u/∂x
+
∂v/∂y)
=−
αθ
v
(11.53)
where c
b
g (δρ /ρ
0
) H
b
is the square of the phase speed for gravity waves
propagating along the inversion at the top of the mixed layer. [See Battisti et al.,
(1999) for a more complete discussion.]
≡
Fig. 11.16
Steady surface circulation forced by sea surface temperature anomalies characteristic of
El Nino in the equatorial Pacific (courtesy of D. Battisti).
