Upper Meter Processes: Short Wind, Waves, Surface Flow and Turbulence
Abstract
This work is an extension of the early works on measuring short wind waves that have been funded by ONR for seven years, During this seven-year period, we have collected the only available systematic set of wave slope image data from different wind/wave facilities, and built a wave-imaging buoy that extends the capability of wave imaging to the field. Our objective for this extension is to complete a detailed analysis of the data obtained during the past seven years. Our findings are outlined as following: Current theories on short wind wave spectrum can qualitatively explain the spectral characteristics well, but can not quantitatively predict the measured spectra. The capillary wave spectrum dominated by parasitic capillaries (< 1 cm) is universal, or not sensitive to the tank geometry and wind fetch. The capillary-gravity waves (1-10 cm) are very sensitive to the tank geometry and wind fetch. Although we did not find the existence of pronounced bound waves which propagate at high speed, freely travelling short waves do propagate fast near long wave crests, and slowly near the troughs. We propose that speed modulation can affect the Doppler microwave return. Our suggestion fits well with new radar observation (Lamont-Smith 2000).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA401345
Entities
People
- Bernd Jahne
- Jochen Klinke
- Xin Xhang
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography