Posted by Randy Watts on November 08, 2000 at 06:00:40 (UTC):
In Reply to: Gulf Stream Abyssal eddies posted by Johann Lutjeharms on November 08, 2000 at 05:34:03 (UTC):
I think they are intrinsically coupled via baroclinic
instability: In these Gulf Stream observations,
strong deep eddies always form when
steep meanders develop; and steep meanders always
develop together with (offset, tilted) strong deep
eddies.
The chicken-and-egg question has intrigued meteorogists
for years too. Pre-existing weak deep eddies and
small amplitude upper jet meanders can (with the
right vertical phasing) BOTH trigger the joint
development of steep strong events.
--Randy