[MITgcm-support] Re: question about seaice coupling to

[Martin Losch]

Hi,
old topic, but what about using some estimate of the Ekman layer depth 
as the depth for the proxy-geostrophic velocities? The Ekman depth, 
where according to theory the Ekman spiral has reversed the velocity 
direction, is sqrt(A_v/(.5*f)). For A_v=1.e-3 (values from the 
global_ocean.90x40x15/global_ocean.cs32x15), this ranges ranges from 4m 
in high latitudes to 50m near the equator. Below this depth the wind 
driven velocity is 36% of the surface value, below twice  this depth it 
is 14% etc (you know what exponential decay looks like (o: ). So if you 
use something like 4 or 5 times the Ekman depth, you are well below the 
Ekman layer (but not necessarily below the mixed layer!).

Is this a foolish idea?

Martin