SC740 SEMINAR WEEK 8

TOPIC: A Study of Ocean Currents in Strategic Straits Using

High-Resolution Parallel Ocean Models

By Dr. Steve Piacsek

Oceanography Division, Naval Research Laboratory

Summary and Comments: By Lee Emmanwori

A) Dr. Piacsek presented the three well-known straits chosen for the simulation of High-Resolution Parallel Ocean Models. They are:

1. Strait of Gibraltar--separating the Atlantic from the Mediterranean.
2. Strait of Otranto--separating the Adriatic Sea from the rest of the Mediterranean.

3.0 Fram Strait--separating the Arctic Basin from the Greenland Sea.

B) Dr. Piacsek explained that oceanic straits generally exert a disproportionately great influence on circulation when one considers their small size and volume. The DieCAST z-level 3-D ocean model was used to compute the circulation in ocean basins adjoining strategic straits.

C) Dr. Piacsek focused much of his discussion on the dynamics and nature of the flow reversals, the entering and exiting water masses passing at the same depth, or below each other. He pointed out that multiple reversals are possible in some straits. Actually, he showed a lot of pictographs to support his discussion. In addition, he talked about eddy motion and presented incompressible flow equations.

D) Dr. Piacsek concluded with a movie of ocean currents in strategic straits.