Water-Wave Measurements
Abstract
Studies of water-surface waves generated within B-INI Lagoon by nuclear detonations are re ported. Measurements of wave heights were obtained from underwater pressure-time instrumentation. In addition, surveys of inundation levels on land areas were made. By these methods the heights and nature of the waves generated were determined. These waves were sufficiently high to produce significant damage to shore installations at distances of 14 miles. The magnitude of waves that might result from such ex plosions on deeper shelves, or in deeper water, cannot be reliably estimated from these results. A partially empirical equation is examined that predicts the observed first-crest wave heights. First-crest height was indicated to decay inversely proportional to R, the range from zero point. The first-wave height-range product scales as a function of charge weight to the one-half power over the yield range of nuclear tests to date. The water depth effect in the region of generation could not be resolved, but the evidence indicates that the first-wave height varies directly as water depth to the 0.7 power. The generated waves contained an extremely small percentage of charge energy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 19, 1959
- Accession Number
- AD0341056
Entities
People
- John D. Isaacs
- Lewis W. Kidd
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography