Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 20 April 1990:
Vol. 248. no. 4953, pp. 316 - 322
DOI: 10.1126/science.248.4953.316
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

The Dynamics of the Oceanic Subtropical Gyres

Joseph Pedlosky 1

1 Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543

Recent theoretical advances in physical oceanography have produced plausible models for the structure of the circulation in the oceans' subtropical gyres. These theoretical ideas are reviewed and assessed in the light of present observational evidence. The dominant role of potential vorticity is emphasized in describing the strong interplay between three-dimensional distributions of density and velocity. In particular, the complementary processes of subduction and recirculation jointly act to shape the circulation pattern of the subtropical gyre.

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)