• Aug 24, 2025 Chapter 8 Potential Vorticity 8 1 Ertel S Theorem Whoi nd mixing Potential vorticity is a powerful tool for analyzing the formation evolution and dissipation of these eddies helping to understand their impact on the larger ocean circulation One vivid example comes from WHOIs studies of mesoscale eddies in the Gulf Stream where the distribution of po By Craig Purdy