An analytical diagnostic model of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Based on a linear quasi-geostrophic vorticity equation, we have set up an analytical diagnostic mode for the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.The results, how that the balance among wind stress, ocean horizontal viscous stress and the p-effect is the basic balance of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the center velocity of the jet, coming from the Drake Passage, will decrease due to the ocean dynamic adjustment, and the width in the north-south direction will decrease gradually.The jet coming from the Drake Passage moves about 4° northward because of the inducement of winddriven currents.The clockwise vorticity appearing in the south-west comer corresponds to the Wedded Gyre.The characters of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current described by the model are congruous with observations basically.