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Next: 1.2.4 Convection and mixing Up: 1.2 Illustrations of the Previous: 1.2.2 Ocean gyres   Contents

1.2.3 Global ocean circulation

Figure 1.7 (top) shows the pattern of ocean currents at the surface of a $ 4^{\circ }$ global ocean model run with 15 vertical levels. Lopped cells are used to represent topography on a regular lat-lon grid extending from $ 70^{\circ }N$ to $ 70^{\circ }S$ . The model is driven using monthly-mean winds with mixed boundary conditions on temperature and salinity at the surface. The transfer properties of ocean eddies, convection and mixing is parameterized in this model.

Figure 1.7 (bottom) shows the meridional overturning circulation of the global ocean in Sverdrups.

Figure 1.7: Pattern of surface ocean currents (top) and meridional overturning stream function (in Sverdrups) from a global integration of the model at $ 4^{\circ }$ horizontal resolution and with 15 vertical levels.
\includegraphics[width=.8\textwidth,bb=65 70 510 390, clip]{s_overview/figs/isovec_atmoce_new.ps} \includegraphics[width=.8\textwidth, clip]{s_overview/figs/moc.eps}


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