Multiscale interactions for Flow Encountering Abrupt Topography

Patrick Haley Jr, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States, Pierre F J Lermusiaux, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge, MA, United States, Christopher Mirabito, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge, United States and Shaun Johnston, UCSD/SIO, La Jolla, United States
Abstract:
The multi-scale interactions between currents and complex topography was the focus of the Flow Encountering Abrupt Topography (FLEAT) initiative. We present some of our recent collaborative results examining mesoscale and submesoscale wake eddies, lee waves, and tidal interactions in the presence of such topography. In particular we quantify the different drags and describe the sensitivity of these phenomena to the flow strength and angle of impingement upon the topography features for a number of different regions, with an emphasis on the Palau and Guam Islands region. We also consider the interactions between the mean flow and internal tides at these regions including the energy exchanges with the mean field and topography-buoyancy conversion.
Back to: Multiscale Topographic Effects on Large-Scale Flow: From Wakes and Lee Waves to Small-Scale Turbulence and Mixing II Posters