High-latitude Southern Ocean eddy activity projected to evolve with anthropogenic climate change


Contact
thomas.jung [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Ocean eddy activity in the high-latitude Southern Ocean is linked to critical drivers of the global climate, yet it is missing from effectively all projections of climate change due to computational costs. Using a high-resolution ocean model and cost-reducing simulation design, eddy activity in the high southern latitudes is revealed in detail, including three-dimensional spatial distribution and characteristics, unobstructed information beneath sea ice, and projections of future conditions after prolonged anthropogenic warming. The detected eddy activity is closely linked to large-scale circulation features like gyres and the Antarctic Slope Current. Eddy activity exhibits a strong seasonal cycle in which the presence of sea ice decreases the eddy population and increases the proportion of anticyclones. Anthropogenic warming is projected to shift eddy activity from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current poleward, intensify eddy activity along the Antarctic Slope Current, and reduce the seasonal cycle affecting eddy population and rotational direction.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
60691
DOI 10.1038/s43247-025-02221-4

Cite as
Beech, N. , Rackow, T. , Semmler, T. and Jung, T. (2025): High-latitude Southern Ocean eddy activity projected to evolve with anthropogenic climate change , Communications Earth & Environment, 6 (1), p. 237 . doi: 10.1038/s43247-025-02221-4


Download
[thumbnail of s43247-025-02221-4.pdf]
Preview
PDF
s43247-025-02221-4.pdf - Other

Download (3MB) | Preview

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Research Platforms
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item