NASA OSTST -- Sponsored Project "Dynamics of anisotropic mean and time-varying structures of ocean circulation"   PIs: N. Maximenko, O. Melnichenko, J. Hafner, H. Sasaki, E. Di Lorenzo and N. Schneider

Collaborative research

This project investigates anisotropic, oceanic features, commonly referred as 'zonal jets' discovered recently using satellite altimetry, high-resolution mean dynamic topography and advanced ocean circulation models. Specifically we investigate the dynamics of two distinct types of jet features evident in both observations and advanced numerical models. The first type are zonally elongated features that are especially distinct in the eastern parts of all subtropical oceans -- there existence and generation is likely linked to eastern boundary currents systems dynamics (e.g. California Current and Humboldt Current). The second type is quasi-periodic nearly zonal jet-like structures that propagate toward the equator and appear confined within subtropical gyres. Our approach combines high-resolution satellite observations of the ocean surface topography, as well as other satellite data and historical and modern in-situ observations.