ON THE STABILITY OF WIND-DRIVEN BAROTROPIC OCEAN CIRCULATIONS

Using numerical simulations, the circulation patterns of wind-driven b arotropic oceans are re-explored. The classical Munk and Stommel model s are revisited and extended by including non-linear phenomena. Emphas is is placed on the definition of stable flow regimes and an attempt i s made to draw up a general scheme of these in the parameter space def ined by delta(i) (non-linearity), delta1 (lateral friction) and delta( b) (bottom friction). Examples of configurations arising in the specia l case of partial slip boundary conditions are also discussed.