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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • Conrad Rise
  • Antarctic Circumpolar Current
  • bifurcation

Index Terms

  • Oceanography: Physical: Topographic/bathymetric interactions
  • Oceanography: Physical: Fronts and jets
  • Oceanography: Physical: Currents

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L20606, 6 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL035382

The Conrad Rise as an obstruction to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

J. V. Durgadoo

Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa

J. R. E. Lutjeharms

Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa

A. Biastoch

Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR), Kiel, Germany

I. J. Ansorge

Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) carries water freely around the whole continent of Antarctica, but not without obstructions. Some, such as the Drake Passage, constrict its path, while others, such as mid-ocean ridges, may induce meandering in the current's cores and may cause the genesis of mesoscale turbulence. It has recently been demonstrated that some regions that are only relatively shallow may also have a major effect on the flow patterns of the ACC. This is here shown to be particularly true for the Conrad Rise. Using the trajectories of surface drifters, altimetry and the simulated velocities from a numerical model, we show that the ACC bifurcates at the western side of this Rise. In this process it forms two intense jets at the two meridional extremities of the Rise with a relatively stagnant water body over the Rise itself. Preliminary results from a recent cruise provide compelling support for this portrayal.

Received 17 July 2008; accepted 25 September 2008; published 28 October 2008.

Citation: Durgadoo, J. V., J. R. E. Lutjeharms, A. Biastoch, and I. J. Ansorge (2008), The Conrad Rise as an obstruction to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L20606, doi:10.1029/2008GL035382.

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