Articles | Volume 14, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1147-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1147-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Does the East Greenland Current exist in the northern Fram Strait?
Maren Elisabeth Richter
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
now at: Department of Physics, University of Otago, 730 Cumberland Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Wilken-Jon von Appen
Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Claudia Wekerle
Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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For developing a system for Arctic research, we evaluate the Arctic Ocean simulated by FESOM. We use two global meshes differing in the horizontal resolution only in the Arctic Ocean (24 vs. 4.5 km). The high resolution significantly improves the model's representation of the Arctic Ocean. The most pronounced improvement is in the Arctic intermediate layer. The high resolution also improves the ocean surface circulation, mainly through a better representation of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
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Tim Stöven, Toste Tanhua, Mario Hoppema, and Wilken-Jon von Appen
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Approach: In situ Observations | Depth range: All Depths | Geographical range: Nordic Seas | Phenomena: Current Field
Norwegian Atlantic Slope Current along the Lofoten Escarpment
Overflow of cold water across the Iceland–Faroe Ridge through the Western Valley
Volume transport and mixing of the Faroe Bank Channel overflow from one year of moored measurements
On the modulation of the periodicity of the Faroe Bank Channel overflow instabilities
Transport of volume, heat, and salt towards the Arctic in the Faroe Current 1993–2013
Combining in situ measurements and altimetry to estimate volume, heat and salt transport variability through the Faroe–Shetland Channel
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Ilker Fer, Anthony Bosse, and Johannes Dugstad
Ocean Sci., 16, 685–701, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-685-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-685-2020, 2020
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We analyzed 14-month-long observations from moored instruments to describe the average features and the variability of the Norwegian Atlantic Slope Current at the Lofoten Escarpment (13°E, 69°N). The slope current varies strongly with depth and in time. Pulses of strong current occur, lasting for 1 to 2 weeks, and extend as deep as 600 m. The average volume transport is 2 x 106 m3 s-1.
Bogi Hansen, Karin Margretha Húsgarð Larsen, Steffen Malskær Olsen, Detlef Quadfasel, Kerstin Jochumsen, and Svein Østerhus
Ocean Sci., 14, 871–885, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-871-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-871-2018, 2018
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The Western Valley is one of the passages across the Iceland–Scotland Ridge through which a strong overflow of cold, dense water has been thought to feed the deep limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), but its strength has not been known. Based on a field experiment with instruments moored across the valley, we show that this overflow branch is much weaker than previously thought and that this is because it is suppressed by the warm countercurrent in the upper layers.
Jenny E. Ullgren, Elin Darelius, and Ilker Fer
Ocean Sci., 12, 451–470, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-451-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-12-451-2016, 2016
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One-year long moored measurements of currents and hydrographic properties in the overflow region of the Faroe Bank Channel have provided a more accurate observational-based estimate of the volume transport, entrainment, and eddy diffusivities associated with the overflow plume. The data set resolves the temporal variability and covers the entire lateral and vertical extent of the plume.
E. Darelius, I. Fer, T. Rasmussen, C. Guo, and K. M. H. Larsen
Ocean Sci., 11, 855–871, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-855-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-855-2015, 2015
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Quasi-regular eddies are known to be generated in the outflow of dense water through the Faroe Bank Channel. One year long mooring records from the plume region show that (1) the energy associated with the eddies varies by a factor of 10 throughout the year and (2) the frequency of the eddies shifts between 3 and 6 days and is related to the strength of the outflow. Similar variability is shown by a high-resolution regional model and the observations agree with theory on baroclinic instability.
B. Hansen, K. M. H. Larsen, H. Hátún, R. Kristiansen, E. Mortensen, and S. Østerhus
Ocean Sci., 11, 743–757, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-743-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-11-743-2015, 2015
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The Faroe Current is the main ocean current transporting warm Atlantic water into the Arctic region and an important transporter of heat towards the Arctic. This study documents observed transport variations over two decades, from 1993 to 2013. It shows that the volume transport of Atlantic water in this current increased by 9% over the period, whereas the heat transport increased by 18%. This increase will have contributed to the observed warming and sea ice decline in the Arctic.
B. Berx, B. Hansen, S. Østerhus, K. M. Larsen, T. Sherwin, and K. Jochumsen
Ocean Sci., 9, 639–654, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-9-639-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-9-639-2013, 2013
K. A. Mork and Ø. Skagseth
Ocean Sci., 6, 901–911, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-6-901-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-6-901-2010, 2010
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Short summary
In the Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean outflow is joined by Atlantic Water (AW) that has not flowed through the Arctic Ocean. The confluence creates a density gradient which steepens and draws closer to the east Greenland shelf break from N to S. This brings the warm AW closer to the shelf break. South of 79° N, AW has reached the shelf break and the East Greenland Current has formed. When AW reaches the Greenland shelf it may propagate through troughs to glacier termini and contribute to glacier melt.
In the Fram Strait, Arctic Ocean outflow is joined by Atlantic Water (AW) that has not flowed...