Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Leif Thomas
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Please email me if you would like a copy of any of the publications below.


Refereed publications

Vanegas Ledesma*, A., and L. N. Thomas, 2024. Transport Pathways for Iron Supply to the Australian Antarctic Ridge Phytoplankton Bloom, Geophys. Res. Lett., submitted.

Thomas, L. N., J. N. Moum, L. Qu, J. P. Hilditch, E. Kunze, L. Rainville, C. M. Lee, 2024. Blocked drainpipes and smoking chimneys -- discovery of new near-inertial wave phenomena in anticyclones, Oceanography, in press. Pre-print.

Thomas, L. N., S. M. Kelly, T. Klenz, W. R. Young, L. Rainville, H. Simmons, V. Hormann, and I. Stokes, 2024. Why near-inertial waves are less affected by vorticity in the Northeast Pacific than in the North Atlantic, Oceanography, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2024.301.

Hilditch*, J. P., and L. N. Thomas, 2023. Parametric subharmonic instability of inertial shear at ocean fronts, J. of Fluid Mech., 966, A34. doi:10.1017/jfm.2023.452.

Thomas, L. N., E. D. Skyllingstad, L. Rainville, V. Hormann, L. Centurioni, J. N. Moum, O. Asselin, C. M. Lee, 2023. Damping of inertial motions through the radiation of near-inertial waves in a dipole vortex in the Iceland Basin, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 53, 1821–1833.

Delorme*, B. L., and L. N. Thomas, 2023. Turbulence generated through critical reflection of internal waves off the seafloor due to non-traditional effects, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 53, 699–718.

Qu*, L., L. N. Thomas, R. D. Hetland, D. Kobashi, 2022. Mixing driven by critical reflexion on near-inertial waves over the Texas-Louisiana Shelf, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 52, 2891-2906.

Qu*, L., L. N. Thomas, A. F. Wienkers, R. D. Hetland, D. Kobashi, J. R. Taylor, F. Hsu, J. A. MacKinnon, R. K. Shearman, and
J. D. Nash, 2022.
Rapid vertical exchange at fronts in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Nat. Comm., doi:10.1038/s41467-022-33251-7.

Thomas, L. N., and X. Zhai, 2022. The lifecycle of surface-generated internal waves. In: M. P. Meredith, and A. C. Naveira Garabato (Eds.), Ocean Mixing, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pages 95-115.

Wienkers, A. F., L. N. Thomas, and J. R. Taylor, 2021. The influence of front strength on the development and equilibration of symmetric instability. Part 1: Growth and saturation, J. of Fluid Mech., 926, A6. doi:10.1017/jfm.2021.680.

Wienkers, A. F., L. N. Thomas, and J. R. Taylor, 2021. The influence of front strength on the development and equilibration of symmetric instability. Part 2: Nonlinear evolution, J. of Fluid Mech., 926, A7. doi:10.1017/jfm.2021.684.

Qu*, L., L. N. Thomas, and J. Gula, 2021. Bottom mixing enhanced by tropical storm-generated near-inertial waves in the Straits of Florida, Geophys. Res. Lett., 48, e2021GL093773. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093773

MacKinnon, J. A. and Coauthors, 2021. A warm jet in a cold ocean. Nat. Commun., 12(1) 2418. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22505-5.

Delorme*, B. L., L. N. Thomas, P. Marchesiello, J. Gula, G. Roullet, and M. J. Molemaker, 2021. Enhanced abyssal mixing in the Equatorial Pacific associated with non-traditional effects, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 51, 1895-1914.

Qu*, L., L. N. Thomas, R. D. Hetland, 2021. Near-inertial wave critical layers over sloping bathymetry, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 51,1737-1756.

Delpech, A., C. Ménesguen, Y. Morel, L. N. Thomas, F. Marin, S. Cravatte, and S. Le Gentil, 2021. Intra-annual Rossby waves destabilization as a potential driver of Low-Latitude Zonal Jets — Barotropic dynamics, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 51, 365–384.

Thomas, L. N., L. Rainville, O. Asselin, W. R. Young, J. B. Girton, C. B. Whalen, L. R. Centurioni, and V. Hormann, 2020. Direct observations of near-inertial wave ζ-refraction in a dipole vortex, Geophys. Res. Lett., DOI:10.1029/2020GL090375.

Asselin, O., L. N. Thomas , W. R. Young, and L. Rainville, 2020. Refraction and straining of near-inertial waves by barotropic eddies, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 50, 3439-3454.

Wenegrat*, J. O., L. N. Thomas, M. A. Sundermeyer, J. R. Taylor, E. A. D'Asaro, J. M. Klymak, R. K. Shearman, and C. M. Lee, 2020. Enhanced mixing across the gyre boundary at the Gulf Stream front, PNAS, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005558117.

Wenegrat*, J. O., and L. N. Thomas, 2020. Centrifugal and symmetric instability during Ekman adjustment of the bottom boundary layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 50, 1793–1812. Preprint.

Johnson, L., C. M. Lee, E. A. D’Asaro, J. O. Wenegrat*, and L. N. Thomas, 2020. Restratification at a California Current Upwelling Front, Part 2: Dynamics, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 50, 1473–1487.

Johnson, L., C. M. Lee, E. A. D’Asaro, L. N. Thomas, and A. Y. Shcherbina, 2020. Restratification at a California Current Upwelling Front, Part 1: Observations, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 50, 1455–1472.

Thomas, L. N., 2019. Enhanced radiation of near-inertial energy by frontal vertical circulations, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 49, 2407–2421. Preprint.

Delorme*, B. L., and L. N. Thomas, 2019. Abyssal mixing through critical reflection of equatorially trapped waves off smooth topography, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 49, 519-542.

Naveira Garabato, A. C., E. E. Frajka-Williams, C. P. Spingys, S. Legg, K. L. Polzin, A. Forryan, E. P. Abrahamsen, C. E. Buckingham, S. M. Griffies, S. D. McPhail, K. W. Nicholls, L. N. Thomas, and M. P. Meredith, 2019. Rapid mixing and exchange of deep-ocean waters in an abyssal boundary current, PNAS, 116 (27) 13233-13238.

Wenegrat*, J. O., J. Callies, and L. N. Thomas, 2018. Submesoscale baroclinic instability in the bottom boundary layer, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 2571-2592.

Wenegrat*, J. O., L. N. Thomas, J. Gula, and J. C. McWilliams, 2018. Effects of the submesoscale on the potential vorticity budget of ocean mode waters, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 2141-2165.

Savelyev, I., L. N. Thomas, G. B. Smith, Q. Wang, R. K. Shearmann, T. Haack, A. J. Christman, B. Blomquist, M. Sletten, W. D. Miller, H. J. S. Fernando, 2018. Aerial Observations of Symmetric Instability at the North Wall of the Gulf Stream, Geophys. Res. Lett. 45, 236-244.

Whitt*, D. B., L. N. Thomas, J. M. Klymak, C. M. Lee, and E. A. D'Asaro, 2018. Interaction of super-inertial waves with submesoscale cyclonic filaments in the North Wall of the Gulf Stream, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 81-99.

Thomas, L. N., 2017. On the modifications of near-inertial waves at fronts: Implications for energy transfer across scales, Ocean Dynamics, 67: 1335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-017-1088-6. PDF

Shakespeare, C. J., and L. N. Thomas, 2017. A new mechanism for mode water formation involving cabbeling and frontogenetic strain at thermohaline fronts. Part II: Numerical simulations, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 47, 1755-1773.

Wenegrat*, J. O., and L. N. Thomas, 2017. Nonlinear Ekman transport in balanced flows with curvature, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 47, 1189-1203.

Reineman, D. R., L. N. Thomas, M. R. Caldwell, 2017. Using local knowledge to project sea level rise impacts on wave resources in California, Ocean & Coastal Management, 138, 181-191.

Bachman, S. D., B. Fox-Kemper, J. R. Taylor, and L. N. Thomas, 2017. Parameterization of frontal symmetric instabilities. I: Theory for resolved fronts, Ocean Modelling, 109, 72-95.

Singh, D., D. L. Swain, J. S. Mankin, D. E. Horton, L. N. Thomas, B. Rajaratnam, and N. S. Diffenbaugh, 2016. Recent amplification of the North American winter temperature dipole, J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 121, 9911-9928, doi:10.1002/2016JD025116.

Spall, M. A., and L. N. Thomas, 2016. Downfront winds over buoyancy coastal plumes, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 3139-3154.

Holmes*, R. M., and L. N. Thomas, 2016. Modulation of tropical instability wave intensity by equatorial Kelvin waves, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 2623-2643.

Klymak, J. M., R. K. Shearman, J. Gula, C. M. Lee, E. A. D'Asaro, L. N. Thomas, R. R. Harcourt, A. Y. Shcherbina, M. A. Sundermeyer, J. Molemaker, J. C. McWilliams, 2016. Submesoscale streamers exchange water on the north wall of the Gulf Stream, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 1226-1233.

Holmes*, R. M., J. N. Moum, and L. N. Thomas, 2016. Evidence for seafloor-intensified mixing by surface-generated equatorial waves, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 1202-1210.

Grisouard*, N., and L. N. Thomas, 2016. Energy exchanges between density fronts and near-inertial waves reflecting off the ocean surface, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 501-516.

Thomas, L. N., J. R. Taylor, E. A. D'Asaro, C. M. Lee, J. M. Klymak, and A. Y. Shcherbina, 2016. Symmetric instability, inertial oscillations, and turbulence at the Gulf Stream front, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 197-217.

Thomas, L. N., and C. J. Shakespeare, 2015. A new mechanism for mode water formation involving cabbeling and frontogenetic strain at thermohaline fronts, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 45, 2444-2456.

Holmes*, R. M., and L. N. Thomas, 2015. The Modulation of Equatorial Turbulence by Tropical Instability Waves in a Regional Ocean Model, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 45, 1155-1173.

Grisouard*, N., and L. N. Thomas, 2015. Critical and near-critical reflections of near-inertial waves off the sea surface at ocean fronts, J. Fluid Mech., 765, 273-302.

Shcherbina, A. Y., and Coauthors, 2015. The LatMix Summer Campaign: Submesoscale Stirring in the Upper Ocean, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 96, 1257-1279.

Benthuysen*, J. A., L. N. Thomas, and S. J. Lentz, 2015. Rapid generation of upwelling at a shelf break caused by buoyancy shutdown, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 45, 294-312.

Whitt*, D. B., and L. N. Thomas, 2015. Resonant generation and energetics of wind-forced near-inertial motions in a geostrophic flow, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 45, 181-208.

Spall, M. A., R. S. Pickart, E. T. Brugler, G. W. K. Moore, L. N. Thomas, K. R. Arrigo, 2014. Role of Shelfbreak Upwelling in the Formation of a Massive Under-ice Bloom in the Chukchi Sea, Deep Sea Res. II, doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.03.017.

Thomas, L. N, and J. R. Taylor, 2014. Damping of inertial motions by parametric subharmonic instability in baroclinic currents, J. Fluid Mech, 743, 280-294.

Holmes*, R. M., L. N. Thomas, L. Thompson, and D. Darr, 2014. Potential Vorticity Dynamics of Tropical Instability Vortices, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 44, 995-1011.

Thomas, L. N., J. R. Taylor, R. Ferrari, and T. M. Joyce, 2013. Symmetric instability in the Gulf Stream, Deep Sea Res. II, 91, 96-110.

Whitt*, D. B., and L. N. Thomas, 2013. Near-inertial waves in strongly baroclinic currents, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 43, 706-725.

Benthuysen*, J. A., and L. N. Thomas, 2013. Nonlinear stratified spindown over a slope, J. Fluid Mech., 726, 371-403.

Joyce, T. M., J. M. Toole, P. Klein, and L. N. Thomas, 2013. A near-inertial mode observed within a Gulf Stream warm-core ring, J. Geophys. Res., 118, 1797-1806.

Joyce, T. M., L. N. Thomas, W. K. Dewar, and J. B. Girton, 2013. Eighteen Degree Water formation within the Gulf Stream during CLIMODE, Deep Sea Res. II, 91, 1-10.

Thomas, L. N., 2012. On the effects of frontogenetic strain on symmetric instability and inertia-gravity waves, J. Fluid Mech., 711, 620-640.

Benthuysen*, J., and L. N. Thomas, 2012. Friction and diapycnal mixing at a slope: Boundary control of potential vorticity, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 42, 1509-1523.

Benthuysen*, J. A., and L. N. Thomas, 2012. Asymmetries in vertical vorticity and vertical velocity arising during nonlinear homogeneous spindown, Phys. Fluids, 24, 076601 (2012). [PDF]

Long*, M. C., L. N. Thomas, and R. B. Dunbar, 2012. Control of phytoplankton bloom inception in the Ross Sea, Antarctica by Ekman restratification, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 26, GB1006, doi:10.1029/2010GB003982.

Yoshikawa, Y., C. M. Lee, and L. N. Thomas, 2012. The Subpolar Front of the Japan/East Sea III: Competing Roles of Frontal Dynamics and Atmospheric Forcing in Driving Ageostrophic Vertical Circulation and Subduction, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 42, 991-1011.

Lauderdale, J. M., A. C. Naveira Garabato, K. I. C. Oliver, and L. N. Thomas, 2012. Climatic Variations of the Work Done by the Wind on the Ocean's General Circulation, J. Geophys. Res., 117, C9, doi:10.1029/2012JC008135.

D'Asaro, E., C. Lee, L. Rainville, R. Harcourt and L. Thomas, 2011. Enhanced turbulence and energy dissipation at ocean fronts, Science, 15, 318-322.

Thomas, L. N., and J. R. Taylor, 2010. Reduction of the usable wind-work on the general circulation by forced symmetric instability, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L18606, doi:10.1029/2010GL044680.

Timmermans, M.-L., L. Rainville, L. Thomas, and A. Proshutinsky, 2010. Moored observations of bottom-intensified motions in the deep Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean, J. Mar. Res., 68 , 625-641.

Thomas, L. N., and T. M. Joyce, 2010. Subduction on the northern and southern flanks of the Gulf Stream, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 40, 429-438.

Thomas, L. N., C. M. Lee and Yoshikawa, Y., 2010. The subpolar front of the Japan/East Sea II: Inverse method for determining the frontal vertical circulation, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 40, 3-25.

Marshall, J., and Coauthors, 2009. The CLIMODE field campaign: Observing the cycle of convection and restratification over the Gulf Stream. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 90, 1337-1350.

Morel, Y., and L. Thomas, 2009. Ekman drift and vortical structures, Ocean Model., 27, 185-197.

Joyce, T. M., L. N. Thomas and F. Bahr, 2009. Wintertime observations of SubTropical Mode Water formation within the Gulf Stream, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L02607, doi:10.1029/2008GL035918.

Mahadevan, A., L. Thomas and A. Tandon, 2008. Comment on "Eddy/Wind Interactions Stimulate Extraordinary Mid-Ocean Plankton Blooms," Science, 320, 448b.

Thomas, L. N., 2008. Formation of intrathermocline eddies at ocean fronts by wind-driven destruction of potential vorticity, Dynam. Atmos. Oceans, 45, 252-273.

Thomas, L. N. and R. Ferrari, 2008. Friction, frontogenesis, and the stratification of the surface mixed layer, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 38, 2501-2518.

Thomas, L. N., A. Tandon, and A. Mahadevan, 2008. Submesoscale processes and dynamics. In M. W. Hecht, and H. Hasumi (Eds.), Ocean Modeling in an Eddying Regime, Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 177, American Geophysical Union, Washington DC, pages 17-38.

Craig M. Lee, Thomas, L. N. and Yutaka Yoshikawa, 2006. Intermediate water formation at the Japan/East Sea Subpolar front, Oceanography, 19, no. 3, 110-121.

Garcia Berdeal, I., S. L. Hautala, L. N. Thomas, and H. P. Johnson, 2006. Vertical structure of time-dependent currents in a mid-ocean ridge axial valley, Deep Sea Res. I, 53, 367-386.

Thomas, L. N., 2005. Destruction of potential vorticity by winds, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 35, 2457-2466.

Thomas, L. N. and C. M. Lee, 2005. Intensification of ocean fronts by down-front winds, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 35, 1086-1102.

Thomas, L. N. and P. B. Rhines, 2002. Nonlinear stratified spin-up, J. Fluid Mech. 473, 211-244.

Thomas L., W. Pesch, and G. Ahlers, 1998. Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal, Phys. Rev. E, 58 , 5884-5897.

Non-refeered publications

Thomas, L. N., 2007. Dynamical constraints on the extreme low values of the potential vorticity in the ocean. Proceedings of the 15th 'Aha Huliko'a Hawaiian Winter Workshop on Extreme Events, University of Hawaii.

Thomas, L. N., 2003. Nonlinear dynamics of wind-driven oceanic circulation and fronts, PhD thesis, University of Washington.

* Student/postdoc paper