This paper presents a novel Lagrangian algorithm, the Lagrangian Eddy Boundary Delineation Algorithm (LEBDA), designed for determining the horizontal boundaries of mesoscale quasi-stationary eddies. In contrast to traditional Eulerian methods employed for similar tasks, LEBDA minimizes abrupt boundary changes, a critical advantage particularly relevant for the analysis of long-lived structures. A key feature of the algorithm is the use of passive tracer trajectories to construct R-contours, enabling accurate identification of both the eddy core and its periphery, while effectively filtering out transient perturbations. A comparison with the Automated Mesoscale Eddy Detection Algorithm (AMEDA), using the Lofoten Vortex as a case study, demonstrated that LEBDA provides a more physically consistent and temporally smooth delineation of the eddy boundary. Unlike AMEDA, which tends to overestimate eddy sizes (by up to 1.5 times), LEBDA exhibits a gradual and realistic evolution of boundaries. Analysis of the Lofoten Vortex parameters using LEBDA revealed a relationship between lobe formation, perimeter variations, interaction with the surrounding flow, and the influence of convection on the eddy's shape and stability.
Original languageEnglish
Article number076657
JournalPhysics of Fluids
Volume37
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Jul 2025

ID: 138857675