On the seasonal variations of ocean bottom pressure in the world oceans

Seasonal variability of the ocean bottom pressure (OBP) in the world oceans is investigated using 15 years of GRACE observations and a Pressure Coordinate Ocean Model (PCOM). In boreal winter, negative OBP anomalies appear in the northern North Pacific, subtropical South Pacific and north of 40 °S in the Indian Ocean, while OBP anomaly in the Southern Ocean is positive. The summer pattern is opposite to that in winter. The centers of positive (negative) OBP signals have a good coherence with the mass convergence/divergence due to Ekman transport, indicating the importance of wind forcing. The PCOM model reproduces the observed OBP quite well. Sensitivity experiments indicate that wind forcing dominates the regional OBP seasonal variations, while the contributions due to heat flux and freshwater flux are unimportant. Experiments with daily sea level pressure (SLP) forcing suggest that at high frequencies the non-static effect of SLP is not negligible.

Mechanism of Interannual Variability of Ocean Bottom Pressure in the South Pacific

The study of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) is useful for understanding the barotropic processes variability that contribute to sea level rise. Previous studies have reported the strong OBP anomalies in the Southern Ocean on different time scales. In this study, the characteristic and mechanisms of the energetic interannual OBP variability in the southeastern Pacific are examined using 14 years of GRACE data. It is found that the OBP anomalies are positive (negative) related to the convergence (divergence) of Ekman transport forced by local winds variability. The sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies shows a wavenumber-3 structure in the high latitude of the South Pacific, which benefits a strong and persistent anticyclone over the southeastern Pacific, leading to the positive OBP anomalies there. Such SLP anomalies are similar to the second Pacific-South American (PSA2). Moreover, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) plays an important role in the austral spring (August-November) OBP variability and leads the austral autumn (March-June) OBP variability by 1 season. These results highlight the influence of atmospheric variability on OBP anomalies and are validated by a mass conservation (non-Boussinesq) ocean model, which is expected to not only better understanding of OBP mechanisms in a longer time, but also predict OBP variation in the global scale.

Analysis of Ocean Bottom Pressure Anomalies and Seismic Activities in the MedRidge Zone

The Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex (MAC) is a product of the convergence of Africa–Europe–Aegean plates. As a result, the region exhibits a continuous mass change (horizontal/vertical movements) that generates earthquakes. Over the last 50 years, approximately 430 earthquakes with M ≥ 5, including 36 M ≥ 6 earthquakes, have been recorded in the region. This study aims to link the ocean bottom deformations manifested through ocean bottom pressure variations with the earthquakes’ time series. To this end, we investigated the time series of the ocean bottom pressure (OBP) anomalies derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellite missions. The OBP time series comprises a decreasing trend in addition to 1.02, 1.52, 4.27, and 10.66-year periodic components, which can be explained by atmosphere, oceans, and hydrosphere (AOH) processes, the Earth’s pole movement, solar activity, and core–mantle coupling. It can be inferred from the results that the OBP anomalies time series/mass change is linked to a rising trend and periods in the earthquakes’ energy time series. Based on this preliminary work, ocean-bottom pressure variation appears to be a promising lead for further research.

Evaluation of GRACE RL06 analysis in the Southern Ocean

<p>Space geodetic estimates of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) derived by several analysis centres are evaluated. To this end, an array of 14 in situ bottom pressure recorders has been deployed between South Africa and Antarctica. The continuous measurement period of four years (2011 to 2014) and a recorder spacing of roughly 2.8 degrees latitude allows an in-depth analysis of bottom pressure variability.</p><p>Our goal is to relate OBP from GRACE to in situ observations and detect which spatial and temporal features are reproduced. The recorders in the southern part of the transect generally tend to be in better agreement with GRACE and better reflect longer spatial scales of ocean bottom pressure. Over the vast expanse of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current annual and semi-annual cycles are weak (about 1cm equivalent water height (EWH)) and not reproduced well by GRACE. Variability in general amounts to a standard deviation of 2cm. This level is well captured and correlations on the order of 0.5 are found.</p><p>Mean values and trends of OBP cannot be identified due to the instrumental setup. Close to the Agulhas Retroflection, signals of up to 30cm EWH are found, which cannot be resolved by GRACE. Our  analysis reveals: GRACE OBP possesses longer space and time scales than in situ OBP and it misses eddy-scale signals. Filtering with DDK4 appears to be preferable to DDK6.</p><p> </p>

Analysis of Ocean Bottom Pressure Anomalies and Seismic Activities in MedRidge Zone

Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex (MAC) is one of the most critical subduction zones in the world. It is known that the region exhibits a continuous mass change (horizontal/vertical movements). This process is associated with the devastating and tragic earthquakes shaking the MAC for centuries. Here, we investigate the ocean bottom pressure (OBP) anomalies in the MAC derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow On (GRACE-FO) satellite missions. The OBP time series for the MAC comprises a decreasing trend in addition to 1-, 1.53-, 2.36-, 3.67-, and 9.17-year periodic components partially explained by the atmosphere, oceans, and hydrosphere (AOH) processes, and Earth's pole movement. We noticed that the OBP anomalies appear to link to a rising trend and periods in earthquakes' power time series. This finding sheds new light on the mechanisms controlling the most destructive natural hazard.