Frequency-wavenumber spectra of sea surface temperature and wind stress in the eastern North Pacific and their relation to locally forced low frequency fluctuations in the ocean /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Gallegos-Garcia, Artemio
Other Authors:	Basco, David R. (degree committee member.), Cochrane, John D. (degree committee member.), Emery, William (degree committee member.), Franceschini, Guy A. (degree committee member.)
Format:	Thesis Book
Language:	English
Published:	1980.
Subjects:	Hydrodynamics > Mathematical models. Ocean temperature > North Pacific Ocean > Mathematical models. Oceanography > North Pacific Ocean. Rossby waves. Winds > North Pacific Ocean > Mathematical models. Major oceanography. Ocean temperature > Mathematical models. Oceanography. Winds > Mathematical models. North Pacific Ocean. Academic theses
Online Access:	Link to ProQuest copy Link to OAKTrust copy ProQuest, Abstract

Description
Abstract:	Frequency-wavenumber spectra of sea surface temperature, wind stress components, and wind stress curl data from ship observations taken in the eastern North Pacific are presented. The reliability of the method of analysis is discussed in order to determine the validity of the conclusions derived from the computed spectra. These spectra are compared to those estimated by other investigators. The significant features of the spectra estimated in this study are examined in the light of observations of subinertial oscillations in the area of interest. The estimated spectra of wind stress curl and sea surface temperature (buoyancy flux) are applied in a linear model for quasi-geostrophic response to surface forcing. The results of this model, using a reasonable value for the coefficient of thermal diffusion, indicate that the curl of the wind stress is the major forcing function for the subinertial oceanic variability. However, the annual Fourier component of the sea surface temperature fluctuations is strong enough to induce baroclinic Rossby waves like those observed in the eastern North Pacific. Frequency spectra of potential energy derived from the model's total response are compared to a frequency spectrum of potential energy obtained from observations of subsurface isotherm fluctuations for this same area of the ocean. Agreement between these spectra depends on the value assigned to the coefficient of thermal diffusion.
Item Description:	"Major subject: Oceanography." Typescript (photocopy). Vita.
Physical Description:	xiii, 148 leaves : illustrations, graphs ; 29 cm
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-118).