Many studies in the literature discuss the ASC as if it is a driver of heat transport, i.e. when the ASC weakens this drives (or allows) a strong cross-slope heat transport.
But the ASC is set by thermal wind balance. So you could also imagine a situation where the isopycnals at the slope move upwards (say due to wind), which allows intrusions onto the shelf along the now-connected isopycnal. The ASC strength also changes, because the density structure has changed, but this is a consequence not a driver of the onshore heat transport.
Also we should look into jet dynamics and topographic interactions.
Any ideas how we can distinguish if the ASC is a driver or a response? Maybe lag correlations? Though maybe they will change at similar times.
Many studies in the literature discuss the ASC as if it is a driver of heat transport, i.e. when the ASC weakens this drives (or allows) a strong cross-slope heat transport.
But the ASC is set by thermal wind balance. So you could also imagine a situation where the isopycnals at the slope move upwards (say due to wind), which allows intrusions onto the shelf along the now-connected isopycnal. The ASC strength also changes, because the density structure has changed, but this is a consequence not a driver of the onshore heat transport.
Also we should look into jet dynamics and topographic interactions.
Any ideas how we can distinguish if the ASC is a driver or a response? Maybe lag correlations? Though maybe they will change at similar times.