A snapshot of turbulence in the Northeastern Magellan Strait

Abstract

First-ever measurements of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation rate in the northeastern Strait of Magellan (Seg-unda Angostura region) taken in March 2019 are reported here. At the time of microstructure measurements, the magnitude of the reversing tidal current ranged between 0.8 and 1.2 ms(-1). The probability distribution of the TKE dissipation rate in the water interior above the bottom boundary layer was lognormal with a high median value epsilon(MS)(med) = 1.2×10(-6) Wkg(-1). Strong vertical shear, (1-2)x10(-2) s(-1), in the weakly stratified water interior ensued a sub-critical gradient Richardson number Ri similar to 2 meters above the bottom).