Transverse Variability of the Flow and Density in Inlets of Southern Chile

<p>Measurements of velocity and density profiles were made to describe the flow transverse structure in three inlets of southern Chile. The inlets show marked differences in their transverse dynamics in response to external forcing. In Aysen Fjord (45.2°S) the mean flow showed a three layer structure that was consistent with up-fjord wind-induced exchange, while in Chacao Channel (41.8°S), the mean flow exhibited predominantly a lateral structure that featured sharp velocity shears. In both cases, a bank in the center of the sections seemed to play an important role in shaping the mean flows. In Ventisquero Sound (44.4°S), the presence of a sill/contraction combination determined differences in the residual circulation on both sides of the contraction. The subtidal transverse momentum balance in Aysen alternates from quasigeostrophic during calm winds to a frictional layer and quasigeostrophic interior during periods of wind forcing. In Chacao, both advective accelerations and friction seem to play a major role in the transverse dynamics. In Ventisquero Sound, advective accelerations were dominant to the north of the contraction and over the sill. Typical nondimensional groups such as Rossby number, Ekman number, Reynolds number and Richardson number revealed dynamic similarities and differences among the different systems.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ocean & Earth Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Cáceres Muñoz, Mario Arturo

Contributors dc:contributor

• Arnoldo Valle-Levinson
• Larry P. Atkinson
• Thomas C. Royer
• Kuc-Chuin Wong

• Chile
• Currents
• Fjords
• Transverse variability
• Oceanography

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9780493564982

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:oeas_etds-1113