Maximum downward propagation of the baroclinic wind-driven circulation into the ocean interior

Abstract

In the framework of the Young and Rhines theory of the baroclinic, wind-driven circulation, we consider the problem of the determination of the maximum penetration depth, Dmax, of the motion into the ocean. On the basis of general results concerning the interface of no-motion D(x, y), we investigate the dependence of Dmax on a couple of parameters that select each buoyancy profile within a given class, having fixed a special family of vertical Ekman velocity fields. We also show some circulation patterns forced by a typical sinusoidal wind-stress and corresponding to different buoyancy profiles within the same class