OC4331-Mesoscale Oceanography
Final Project Summary

Topic Area

LT Thomas B. Keefer, USN

Shelf Break fronts are as important to physical oceanography as they are difficult to study and model. Frontogenesis takes place in a region of seperation between warm, salty slope water and cool fresh shelf water located at the continental shelf break. The mechanics of frontogenesis include along shelf flow and some degree of vertical density stratification. Ekman flux at the boundary causes cross shelf flow which leads to vertical mixing and disruption of the stratification via a positive upwelling-downwelling feedback mechanism.

These fronts are present in various parts of the world but research has been concentrated at the Mid Atlantic Bight, East Bering Sea and Celtic Sea. When disrupted by unusually violent mixing mechanisms, they will quickly restore once the disturbance ends. Shelf Break Fronts are charachterised by areas of high biological productivity so they are as interesting to the commercial fishing industry as they are to the science world.

Gawarkiewicz, G. and D. C. Chapman, 1992: "The Role of Stratification in the Formation and Maintenance of Shelf Break Fronts" J. Phys. Oceanogr., Vol. 22, 753-772.

Beardsley, R.C., D. C. Chapman, and K. H. Brink, 1985: "The Nantucket Shoals Experiment (NSFE79)." J. Phys. Oceanogr., Vol. 15, 713-748.

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