Objective The objective of the project "EUROMODEL" is to develop a 3d mathematical model describing the general circulation of the Western basin of the Mediterranean. Studies have been made in relation to the description, understanding and simulation of the seasonal and mesoscale variability of the general circulation of the Western Mediterranean. Deep water formation drives the large cyclonic gyre observed in the northern basin. Some seasonal and mesoscale characteristics of the Northern, Tyrrhenian and Western Corsican Currents are specified. The flow through the Strait of Gibralter is not hydraulically controlled. Potential vorticity conservation and changes in the meridional pressure gradients explain the formation of the western Alboran Sea gyre. Cyclonic eddies at its periphery are observed and modelled. The Almeria-Oran jet front system is described in terms of geostrophic adjustment of Modified Atlantic Water and Mediterranean Water. Algerian eddies are linked to baroclinic instability of the Current. A cyclonic circulation around the continental slope in the whole western basin is observed at depth. Upper ocean mesoscale variability is related to downward penetration of near inertial motions as observed near the Catalan front. In the Balearic Sea, spatial and temporal variability of 2 shelf or slope fronts influences the large scale dynamics. A numerical simulation of the Western Mediterranean has been initiated: the sole forcing by the density gradients through the straits of Gibralter and Sicily qualitatively reproduces the basin scale cyclonic surface and intermediate flows and the coastal currents.The first phase of the project consists essentially of studies of processes relating to the instabilities of the Algerian current, the exchange of water masses across the straits, and mixing in the surface layer. These studies will be undertaken as comparative studies of two primitive equation models and one thermocline model. The results of these modelling activities will be verified by data already acquired, or in the process of being collected. They will be completed by the analysis of the spatial-temporal variability of the main phenomena characterizing the circulation of the northern part of the basin. Fields of science natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) FP2-MAST 1 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of marine science and technology (MAST), 1989-1992 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Cabinet d'Etudes Techniques Industrielles et d'Innovations Scientifiques SA EU contribution No data Address 30,Avenue Malacrida 13100 Aix-en-Provence France See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution No data Address Calle Serrano 117 MADRID See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Italy EU contribution No data Address San Polo 1364 30125 VENEZIA See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE*ULG Belgium EU contribution No data Address PLACE DU 20 AOUT 7 4000 LIEGE See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE - PARIS VI France EU contribution No data Address Place Jussieu 4 75252 PARIS See on map Total cost No data Universidad de las Islas Baleares Spain EU contribution No data Address 07071 Palma de Mallorca See on map Total cost No data
