Why is the vertically integrated vorticity balance important for understanding ocean circulation?

Approach

• Monthly average ECCOv4 outputs.
• Use the ECCO python tool (ECCOv4-py) to compute horizontal gradients of velocity and vertical integration.

Conclusions

• In eastern boundary upwelling systems, wind stress is the primary driver of ocean circulation.
• Circulation is strong in the California and Benguela systems, while it is weaker in the Peru–Chile and Canary systems.
• In California and Benguela, both topographic effects and dissipation also play an important role.
• In Peru-Chile and Canary systems, topography term is the dominant secondary contributor.