Alaskan Arctic Coastal Processes and Morphology
Abstract
A study of the temporal and spatial variability of the physical processes and environments of the Alaskan Arctic Coast was conducted over a 2- year period (May 1971 - June 1973). Micrometeorological studies demonstrated the difficulty of characterizing momentum transfer from air to ice by a single constant drag coefficient but indicated that such a coefficient may characterize air-sea momentum transfer in the nearshore waters. Summer wind-driven currents were far stronger and more variable than those during the winter season. They caused large meteorological tides and subsequent modification of the nearshore water mass characteristics. Statistically significant contrasts were noted between the morphology of the Chukchi and Beaufort coasts. The study demonstrated the dominance of storm-induced modification of the nearshore region and indicated that the arctic coastal environment cannot be adequately characterized from short-term studies conducted during moderate conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0766475
Entities
People
- Andrew D. Short
- Anthony E Gregory
- C. D Waters Jr.
- J. N. Suhayda
- James M. Coleman
- L. D. Wright
- Shih-ang Hsu
- William J. Wiseman Jr.
Organizations
- Louisiana State University