Abstract
The United Kingdom Fine Resolution Antarctic Model is compared to 3 years of Geosat altimeter data. To enable a proper comparison two analysis techniques (Fourier and principal component analysis) are applied to both model results and the “real ocean” altimeter observations. In general it was found that the model succeeded in simulating important characteristics of the southern ocean. The analysis results from the very complex altimeter observations were verified, and the interpretation of Geosat data was strongly improved. The applied analysis techniques where shown to be effective in isolating ring-like phenomena and detecting possible periodic behaviour. In both the Agulhas, Brazil Malvinas, and East Australian Current regular ring formations take place, roughly every 100, 150, and 130 days respectively. The model only generated periodic ring formations in the Agulhas and East Australian Current, both with a very regular 125–130 days period. This period is clearly a model favored harmonic (1/3 year) which is however surprisingly close to the observations.
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Feron, R.C.V. (1993). Comparing the UK Fine Resolution Antarctic Model (FRAM). In: Rummel, R., Sansò, F. (eds) Satellite Altimetry in Geodesy and Oceanography. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, vol 50. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0117936
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0117936
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