Maximum downward propagation of the baroclinic wind-driven circulation into the ocean interior

In the framework of the Young and Rhines theory of the baroclinic, wind-driven circulation, we consider the problem of the determination of the maximum penetration depth, D max, of the motion into the ocean. On the basis of general results concerning the interface of no-motion D(x, y), we investigate the dependence of D max on a couple of parameters that select each buoyancy profile within a given class, having fixed a special family of vertical Ekman velocity fields. We also show some circulation patterns forced by a typical sinusoidal wind-stress and corresponding to different buoyancy profiles within the same class.