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- Title
Diagnosis of Large‐Scale, Low‐Frequency Sea Level Variability in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.
- Authors
Zhu, Yingli; Mitchum, Gary T.; Thompson, Philip R.; Lagerloef, Gary S.E.
- Abstract
Earlier studies in the Northeast Pacific (NEP) suggest that the local and remote sea level responses are important for the large‐scale, low‐frequency sea level variability, but the relative importance of the two processes remains unclear. In this study, we develop a novel sea level model driven by wind, buoyancy and eddy forcing to examine their relative roles in the NEP. Based on the new model, a diagnostic equation for sea level that is an alternative to the conventional method of characteristics is formed. The wind, buoyancy and eddy forcing account for the sea level variability in different regions. Sea level variability is primarily controlled by the wind forcing in the central to the northeast of the NEP, by the local buoyancy forcing in the southeast region between 210°E and 230°E, and by the eddy forcing in the southwest of the NEP. In addition, the diagnosis demonstrates that the local sea level response is more important than the remote response over most of the NEP, while the remote sea level response could play an important role in the southwest portion of the NEP. Plain Language Summary: In the Northeast Pacific (NEP), the low‐frequency sea level variability is not only an important component for predicting the future sea level change but also an integrated measure of climate variability over this region. It can respond to the local and remote external forcing. However, the importance of different driving forces and the relative role of the local and remote sea level response in determining the low‐frequency sea level variability are not conclusive. In this study, the sea level variability is diagnosed with a new developed sea level model. Winds, surface heat and freshwater fluxes and intense eddy activities contribute to the sea level variability in different regions. Sea level variability is primarily driven by the winds in the central to the northeast of the NEP, by the local surface heat and freshwater fluxes in the southeast of the NEP, and by the eddy forcing in the southwest of the NEP. Moreover, our results suggest that the local sea level response is more important than the remote sea level response over most of the NEP. Key Points: A new sea level model driven by wind, buoyancy and eddy forcing is proposedWind, buoyancy and eddy forcing account for the sea level variability in different regions of the Northeast PacificThe local sea level response is more important than the remote response over most of the Northeast Pacific except in the southwest
- Subjects
EDDIES; SEA level; REMOTE sensing; BRUNT-Vaisala frequency; WIND pressure
- Publication
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans, 2021, Vol 126, Issue 5, p1
- ISSN
2169-9275
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2020JC016682