Frontal Dynamics in the Alboran Sea: 2. Processes for Vertical Velocities Development

Significant lateral density gradients occur throughout the year in Alboran Sea, giving rise to two main fronts: Western Gyre Front (WAGF) and Eastern (EAGF), where large vertical velocities often develop. To improve understanding of processes that underlie development fronts, periods were analyzed perspective frontogenesis, instabilities, non-linear Ekman, filamentogenesis mechanisms, using multi-platform in-situ observations a high-resolution realistic simulation spring 2018. The spatio-temporal characteristics WAGF indicate wider, deeper, longer-lasting front than EAGF. Additionally, shows stronger deeper upwelling downwelling regions. (up |55| m/day) are amplified by an across-front ageostrophic secondary circulation generated by: (a) frontal intensification explained which sharpening buoyancy associated with Atlantic Jet, (b) nonlinear Ekman effects, enhanced persistent western wind blowing along direction, (c) submesoscale instabilities (symmetric baroclinic instabilities). EAGF |38| asymmetrical cells developed across narrow region middle. cell's is produced through cold filament advection Mediterranean Sea interior, characterized pointy isopycnals at center filament. This mechanism observed both model glider observations.