<p>The `eddying' ocean,&#160;recognized for several decades, has been the focus of much observational and theoretical research. <span>&#160;</span>We here describe a generalization for the analysis of eddy energy, based in the use of ensembles, that<span>&#160; </span>addresses two key related<span>&#160;</span>issues: the definition of an `eddy' and the general computation of energy spectra. An ensemble identifies eddies as the unpredictable component of the flow, and permits the scale decomposition of their energy in inhomogeneous and non-stationary settings.&#160;It also avoids the&#160;`tapering' or `windowing' of the data required by traditional approaches.&#160;We apply the analysis to a mesoscale resolving<span>&#160; </span>(1/12 degree)&#160;ensemble of the separated North Atlantic Gulf Stream.<span>&#160;</span>Our results show that the eddies are consistent with the theoretical predictions of quasi-geostrophy both at the surface and ocean interior.<span>&#160;</span></p>
An ensemble‐based eddy and spectral analysis, with application to the Gulf Stream
