Evaluating and Improving Wave and Nonwave Stress Parameterizations for Oceanic Flows

Abstract

Whenever oceanic currents flow over rough topography, there is an associated stress that acts to modify the flow. In the deep ocean, this stress is predominantly a form drag due to pressure differentials across topography, caused by the formation of internal waves and other baroclinic motions: processes that act on such small scales most global ocean models cannot resolve. Despite the need to incorporate this stress into ocean models, existing parameterizations are limited in their applicability. For instance, most parameterizations are only suitable for small-scale topography and are either for periodic or steady flows but rarely a combination thereof. Here, we summarize some of the most wi..