Abstract:

This dataset supports the paper: Bachman, S. D., Fox-Kemper, B., Taylor, J. R., & Thomas, L. N. (2017). Parameterization of Frontal Symmetric Instabilities. I: Theory for Resolved Fronts. Ocean Modelling, 109, 72-95. This dataset contains the customized MITgcm code and run directories necessary to reproduce results from Bachman et al. (2017; doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2016.12.003). This code adds a parameterization for symmetric instability in addition to MITgcm's native routines. The test base for this code involves reproducing results from three previous large eddy simulations (LES) which simulated symmetric instability (SI) under different forcing conditions: Taylor, J.R. & Ferrari, R. (2010). Buoyancy and Wind-Driven Convection at Mixed Layer Density Fronts. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 40: 1222-1242. doi:10.1175/2010JPO4365.1; Thomas, L.N. & Taylor, J.R. (2010). Reduction of the usable wind-work on the general circulation by forced symmetric instability. Geophysical Research Letters. 37: L18606. doi:10.1029/2010GL044680; and Thomas, L.N., Taylor, J.R., Ferrari, R., & Joyce, T.M. (2013). Symmetric instability in the Gulf Stream. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 91: 96-110. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.02.025.

Suggested Citation:

Bachman, Scott, bachman@ucar.edu. 2017. Dataset for: Parameterization of frontal symmetric instabilities. I: Theory for Resolved Fronts. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7QJ7FRB

Publications:

Bachman, S. D., Fox-Kemper, B., Taylor, J. R., & Thomas, L. N. (2017). Parameterization of Frontal Symmetric Instabilities. I: Theory for Resolved Fronts. Ocean Modelling, 109, 72–95. doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2016.12.003

Purpose:

This dataset contains the MITgcm code and run files to implement the parameterization and the data from the figures in the paper.

Data Parameters and Units:

computer code is included with MITgcm code at compile time to implement the parameterization; run directories for each test case; MATLAB scripts to create figures for the following parameters: eddy Prandtl number (non-dim) and balanced Richardson number (non-dim); convective layer depth (m), SI layer depth (m), and KPP boundary layer depth (m); buoyancy flux (m^2 s^-3) and geostrophic shear production (GSP, m^2 s^-3) as functions of depth (m); time-averaged buoyancy flux (m^2 s^-2) and time-averaged GSP (m^2 s^-3) as functions of depth (m); vertically-integrated buoyancy flux (m^3 s^-3) and vertically-integrated GSP (m^3 s^-3) as functions of depth (m); cross-front velocity (m s^-1), along-front velocity (m s^-1), buoyancy (m s^-2), balanced Richardson number (non-dim), potential vorticity (s^-3), and GSP (m^2 s^-3) as functions of depth (m); passive tracer concentration (non-dim) as a function of depth (m).

Individual Files: