Sub Surface Expression of the Antarctic Polar Front at Regions of Large and Small Latitudinal Variability

Abstract

The Polar Front is an important meridional heat transport boundary. So, its location and strength are important to understanding the heat budget. Previous studies have been conducted on the position of the Polar Front using surface properties, but none have focused on the sub surface expression of the gradient. This study will focus on the subsurface expression of the Polar Front, qualifying the vertical shear, at locations where the surface position of the Polar Front shows high and low variability. By sampling six different locations along the Polar Front, it is found that there is no distinct pattern of the gradients as compared by locations of high and low variability of position. It is found, however, that the Polar Front has a distinct pattern in all locations seasonally.