On the Wind Stress - Sea Level Power Law.
Abstract
The response of coastal sea level to local forcing by synpotic scale winds is usually assumed to be linear in wind stress. However, the response of sea level at St. Petersburg, Florida is found to be not linear, but to a power significantly less than one. The observed power-law exponent is 0.8 + or - 0.1. The deviation from linearity in the power law is shown to be consistent with the effect of the quadratic form of the instantaneous bottom drag law. Therefore, the non-linear response should be true, to varying degrees, on many continental shelves. Recognition of this non-linear sea level response to wind stress may allow significant improvement in the analysis of some sea-level problems. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA132035
Entities
People
- G. T. Mitchum
- W. Sturges
Organizations
- Florida State University