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Low ocean-floor rises regulate subpolar sea surface temperature by forming baroclinic jets

Author

Listed:
  • H. Mitsudera

    (Hokkaido University)

  • T. Miyama

    (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

  • H. Nishigaki

    (Oita Univeristy)

  • T. Nakanowatari

    (National Institute of Polar Research)

  • H. Nishikawa

    (Hokkaido University)

  • T. Nakamura

    (Hokkaido University)

  • T. Wagawa

    (Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency)

  • R. Furue

    (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

  • Y. Fujii

    (Japan Meteorological Agency)

  • S. Ito

    (The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

Sea surface temperature (SST) fronts in mid- to high-latitude oceans have significant impacts on extratropical atmospheric circulations and climate. In the western subarctic Pacific, sharp SST fronts form between the cold subarctic water and the recently found quasi-stationary jets that advect warm waters originating in the Kuroshio northeastward. Here we present a new mechanism of the jet formation paying attention to the propagation of baroclinic Rossby waves that is deflected by eddy-driven barotropic flows over bottom rises, although their height is low (~500 m) compared with the depth of the North Pacific Ocean (~6000 m). Steered by the barotropic flows, Rossby waves bring a thicker upper layer from the subtropical gyre and a thinner upper layer from the subarctic gyre, thereby creating a thickness jump, hence a surface jet, where they converge. This study reveals an overlooked role of low-rise bottom topography in regulating SST anomalies in subpolar oceans.

Suggested Citation

  • H. Mitsudera & T. Miyama & H. Nishigaki & T. Nakanowatari & H. Nishikawa & T. Nakamura & T. Wagawa & R. Furue & Y. Fujii & S. Ito, 2018. "Low ocean-floor rises regulate subpolar sea surface temperature by forming baroclinic jets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03526-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03526-z
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