Process studies on the Gulf Stream separation in wind-driven numerical models.

Using idealized process studies the separation of a western boundary current from the coast is examined in wind-driven numerical models. Starting from situations where just a few model components are able to influence the detachment, the separation behaviour of the flow is studies in increasingly more realistic configurations by gradually including additional physical processes. The aim of these experiments is to identify the mechanisms relevant for separation and in this way to improve the understanding of Gulf Stream separation in more complex models and in the real ocean.