Physics

Geology

Meteorology

Instability

Mechanics

Frontogenesis

Oceanography

Mixing (physics)

Turbulence

Eddy

Secondary circulation

Front (military)

Climatology

Quantum mechanics

Mesoscale meteorology

Annual Review of Marine Science

Frontogenesis is the fluid-dynamical processes that rapidly sharpen horizontal density gradients and their associated horizontal velocity shears. It is a positive feedback process where the ageostrophic, overturning secondary circulation in the cross-front plane accelerates the frontal sharpening until an arrest occurs through frontal instability and other forms of turbulent mixing. Several well-known types of oceanic frontal phenomena are surveyed, their impacts on oceanic system functioning are assessed, and future research is envisioned.

Oceanic Frontogenesis