@article{fdi:010068926,
  title = {{S}ensitivity of {L}oop {C}urrent metrics and eddy detachments to different model configurations : the impact of topography and {C}aribbean perturbations},
  author = {{G}arcia-{J}ove, {M}. and {S}heinbaum, {J}. and {J}ouanno, {J}ulien},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he dynamics of the {L}oop {C}urrent ({LC}) and the release of its anticyclonic eddy ({L}oop {C}urrent eddy, {LCE}) are some of the most important features of the circulation in the {G}ulf of {M}exico ({G}o{M}) and key aspects to gauge the validity of numerical simulations. {U}sing a numerical model, we investigate the sensitivity of the {LC} and {LCE} detachments to three different mechanisms deemed to be relevant to their behavior: a) suppression of {C}aribbean vorticity perturbations entering the {G}o{M}; b) smoothness of the topography, and c) suppression of a deep canyon on the eastern {C}ampeche {B}ank. {T}he main results of these experiments in comparison to a reference run considered to be the more realistic one are: a. {S}uppression of {C}aribbean eddies reduces the number of {LCE} separations, but they are not the principal mechanism that triggers the separations. {L}ocally generated instabilities over the northeastern {C}ampeche {B}ank and the {LC} northward extension, appear to be the controlling factors. b. {S}moothing the topography generates a wider and less intense {LC} and reduces the energy exchange terms related to flow instabilities. {N}evertheless, the number of {LCE} separations is similar to the reference experiment. {E}xtension of the {LC} controls the shedding that, in this case, tends to occur in the summer-fall season, when the {LC} is more extended, and the {Y}ucatan transport abruptly weakens after its seasonal maximum. c. {R}emoving the deep canyon in the eastern {C}ampeche {B}ank, makes the {LC} extension more stable and reduces the number of {LCE} separations. {T}he canyon appears to play an important role in spinning up cyclones generated over the {LC} eastern front that finally leads to an {LCE} release. {T}he seasonal distribution of {LCE} separations in the experiments does not appear to be controlled by the strength of the barotropic and baroclinic instability source terms. {I}nstead, a necessary but not sufficient condition for {LCE} separations is that the {LC} extends beyond 24 degrees {N}. {O}ur results indicate that caution should be exercised when interpreting {LC} statistics from a single numerical configuration.},
  keywords = {{G}ulf of {M}exico ; eddies ; energy cycle ; barotropic and baroclinic ; instabilities ; numerical modeling ; {MEXIQUE} {GOLFE} ; {CARAIBES} {MER} ; {YUCATAN} {CANAL}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}tmosfera},
  volume = {29},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {235--265},
  ISSN = {0187-6236},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.20937/atm.2016.29.03.05},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010068926},
}