Intensified Deep Ocean Variability Induced by Topographic Rossby Waves at the Pacific Yap-Mariana Junction

Abstract

In a deep channel at the Pacific Yap-Mariana Junction, intensified variability of flow and isotherm displacements over 3,000–4,600 m is revealed by two separate observations: the recent one during 2014–2016 and the two 20 years ago during 1996–1998. Observed velocity and isotherm displacements can reach 45 cm s−1 and ~600 m at 4,200 m, respectively. Such intensified variability is demonstrated to arise from topographic Rossby waves (TRWs) since vertical profiles of observed currents reasonably conform to TRW features of hyperbolic intensification with depth and highly vertical coherence in phase. Mercator Ocean model outputs reproduce observed TRWs and are used to discuss their energy sources. Both the energetic surface eddy moving across rough topography and mixed barotropic-baroclinic instability of the background flow appear to be the candidates to generate TRWs.