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  • Insight Into the Dynamics o...
    Xu, Zhenhua; Wang, Yang; Liu, Zhiqiang; McWilliams, James C.; Gan, Jianping

    Journal of geophysical research. Oceans, June 2021, 2021-06-00, 20210601, Volume: 126, Issue: 6
    Journal Article

    Ocean circulation strongly influences how internal tides radiate and break and stimulates the spatial inhomogeneity and temporal variation of internal tidal mixing. Qualitative and quantitative characterizations of interactions between internal tides and general circulation are critical to multi‐scale circulation dynamics. Based on significant progress in regional circulation simulation, we obtain an observation‐supported internal tide energy field around Luzon Strait by deterministically resolving the dynamics of the radiating paths of the internal tide energy. These paths are created when the known most powerful internal tide of Luzon Strait interacts with the Kuroshio Current. We found that the radiating tidal pattern, local dissipation efficiency, and energy field respond differently to the leaping, looping, and leaking Kuroshio paths within Luzon Strait. Our new insights into the dynamics and our clarifying the controlling refraction mechanism within the general circulation create the potential for internal tides to be represented better in climate models. Plain Language Summary Internal tides drive oceanic mixing that varies spatially and temporally. This mixing crucially impacts how different ocean layers are maintained and drives overturning circulation of the global ocean's conveyor belt. Furthermore, the ocean's general circulation itself strongly influences how the internal tides radiate and break, which, in turn, stimulate variable turbulent mixing. Luzon Strait, which is between Taiwan and the Philippines, features the most powerful internal tides in the world. The strait also lies in the path of the strong western boundary Kuroshio Current as the current flows northeastward. In the last decade, Luzon Strait has been the global benchmarking site for internal wave studies. By numerically simulating the various paths and the variability of the Kuroshio Current that flows within Luzon Strait, we obtained an internal tide energy field that we validated with observations. Lastly, we proposed an evaluation criterion to theoretically clarify the refraction mechanism that controls how the internal tide radiates within general oceanic circulation. These new insights help us understand and represent internal tide energetics, tidal mixing, and the circulation energy spectrum in climate‐scale models. Key Points Interaction between the internal tide in Luzon Strait and Kuroshio greatly affects internal tidal energy field We obtain an unprecedented observation‐supported internal tidal energy field around Luzon Strait Radiating tidal pattern, dissipation efficiency, and energy field respond differently to the leaping, looping, and leaking Kuroshio paths