The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Scale-dependent Gaussian Width of Oceanic Mesoscale Eddies
ID:982 Oral Presentation

2027-01-14 16:35 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 9 - Ocean Dynamics in the SWOT Era: New Methods, Discoveries, Insights and Challenges

Abstract
Conventional altimetry observations show that mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous and energetic features of the ocean with a universal surface structure. However, these data are subject to objective mapping and limited by coarse resolution. The recently launched Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) altimeter provides unprecedentedly high-resolution measurements, motivating a comparison of surface eddy structures between SWOT and traditional altimeters. Our study shows that, despite large heterogeneity in individual eddies, global and regional composite eddy structures from both datasets are highly consistent and display a quasi-Gaussian horizontal structure. Further analysis reveals that eddy width, defined as the standard deviation of a Gaussian fit, is significantly larger for small eddies than for large eddies. Reduced-gravity model simulations demonstrate that inverse energy cascade, Rossby wave radiation, and dissipation collectively contribute to this scale-dependent behavior in eddy structure. These findings have important implications for advancing our understanding of the morphology and dynamics of oceanic mesoscale eddies.
Speaker
Binyi Zhou Sun Yat-sen University

Author
Binyi Zhou Sun Yat-sen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027