The density‐driven winter intensification of the Ross Sea circulation

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans (2018)

Transport and mixing processes between the Southern Ocean and the Ross Ice Shelf cavity control the access of oceanic heat which affects the ice and surrounding ocean.

A model of the Ross Sea Sector was used to examine the details of currents and their seasonal variability over the continental shelf. We found that transports steadily increase throughout winter; seasonal modulation is driven by lateral differences in density and subsequent baroclinic pressure gradients; and wind plays a minor role in ocean momentum variability.

The source of momentum in the cavity is the gravity‐driven bottom flow of HSSW.