Work

Eddy‐induced variability of the meridional overturning circulation in a model of the North Atlantic

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Observations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) show that it varies on all timescales. Here we isolate the contribution of eddies to AMOC variability using an eddy‐permitting model of the North Atlantic driven by climatological and steady forcing. The eddy‐induced AMOC variability is found to be ubiquitous and significant at all latitudes, with a magnitude comparable to the seasonal cycle in the subtropics. Furthermore, the eddy‐induced AMOC variability is manifested not only at high frequencies but also at interannual and longer timescales. These results imply that a significant fraction of the AMOC variability is inherently unpredictable at seasonal to interannual timescales.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1002/grl.50532

Authors: M. D. Thomas, X. Zhai

Institutions: University of East Anglia, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ifremer, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement

Language: English

Topic: Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Climate action

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W1662672013

FWCI: 3.241

Cites: 24

Cited by: 31

Related to: 10