Observations of Inertio-Gravity Waves in the Wake of Hurricane Frederic.
Abstract
Inertial waves excited in the mixed layer by hurricane Frederic, had horizontal scales of approximately 1 to 2 times the haroclinic Rossby radius of deformation (50 km) of the first mode near the Desoto Canyon. Initially, energy propagated vertically at about 1.25 km/d and horizontally at 80 km/d. These waves spun down over e-folding scales of four inertial periods as energy propagated vertically at 270 m/d and horizontally at 30 km/d. Inertio-gravity waves in the deep thermocline had horizontal scales of 25 to 50 km and vertical scales approximately equal to the water depth. The energy of these waves was dominated by the barotropic mode with some contributions from modes 1 and 2. These waves were not admitted to the self region because the bottom slope was greater than the slope of the internal wave characteristics. The mean flow followed the isobaths at all levels, but it was in the opposite direction in the bottom layer. The mean flow initially decreased along the eastern boundary of the canyon as the storm forcing readjusted the flow. Near-bottom temperature variations of 4 C were associated with the storm surge and advection in the along-track direction, particularly along the north rim of the canyon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA139944
Entities
People
- L. K. Shay
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School