Lagrangian Flow Map Analysis of Submesoscale Dynamics
We illustrate the use of our Lagrangian flow map analyses to quantify submesoscale transports and non-advective dynamics. We utilize our flow map predictions to extract dynamical regions and coherent structures, classify submesoscale processes, and inform classical analyses. Our emphasis is on the use of spatiotemporal flow maps to help differentiate the advective transports from time-integrated non-advective transformations of water masses and submesoscale features. Results are presented for real-time sea experiments with autonomous sensing platforms and probabilistic modeling systems in diverse ocean regions and dynamical regimes. They include the Nova Scotia Shelf-Slope and New England Seamount Chain regions, the Gulf of Mexico, the Balearic and Alboran Seas, and the Southern California Bight. Our analyses highlight regions of higher shear and mixing, Lagrangian energy and buoyancy dissipation rates, frontogenesis and frontolysis zones, and strong vertical and helical-spiral motions, including filaments and internal waves.


