Skitka, L., Polzin, K.L., Menemenlis, D., Arbic, B.K., and Peltier, W.R. (2026)
Presented at:
Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026Regional deviations of ocean internal-wave (IW) spectra from the empirical Garrett-Munk (1976) model have been widely documented and are thought to depend in part on variations in forcing mechanisms, including from interactions with mesoscale eddy fields, through parametric-subharmonic-instability decay of low-mode tides, and through wind forcing of near-inertial waves. We present vertical profiles of internal-wave dissipation from high-resolution simulations in three regions corresponding to these different forcing regimes. The numerical model has frequently updated wind stresses, astronomical forcing, and nested boundary conditions from an IW-permitting global ocean model. Potential and kinetic-energy spectra are characterized for both eddy and IW fields. Comparisons are made with fine-scale-based IW dissipation estimates. We evaluate the relative importance of different numerical schemes by region. Previous work from a single region north of Hawaii showed favorable comparisons with finescale-based observations if suitable numerical dissipation schemes were used, namely, that the horizontal viscosity scheme be restricted to not act on horizontally divergent modes. Building on this work, the prospects of restricting the horizontal (Leith) viscosity scheme to improve internal wave representations across regions and IW forcing regimes are evaluated.
