A Dynamical‐Statistical Approach to Retrieve the Ocean Interior Structure From Surface Data: SQG‐mEOF‐R

Abstract

AbstractCombining the dynamical surface‐trapped mode derived from the Surface Quasi‐Geostrophic (SQG) function with the statistical mode calculated from multivariate empirical orthogonal function (EOF) reconstruction (mEOF‐R) method, this paper proposes a new method, SQG‐mEOF‐R, to estimate the interior density from the sea surface density and sea surface height. This method is applied to the eddy‐resolving Ocean General Circulation Model For the Earth simulator simulation and compared with the conventional SQG, isQG (interior plus SQG), and mEOF‐R methods. Two different dynamical regimes were considered: the NorthWest Pacific, dominated by surface‐intensified eddies, and the Southeast Pacific, characterized by the occurrence of subsurface‐intensified eddies. In both regions, the proposed method proves to be robust in reconstructing mesoscale features, with reduced root‐mean square error and relatively high correlation coefficient. The superiority of SQG‐mEOF‐R is highlighted in those subsurface‐intensified eddies that are little or nothing reconstructed by SQG or isQG method.