Near-Inertial Currents in the DeSoTo Canyon Region
Abstract
Near-inertial currents in the DeSoto Canyon region are described using current and wind observations taken between April 1997 and March 1998 for the "DeSoto Canyon Eddy Intrusion Study". Distinct energy peaks are present at near-inertial frequencies for the clockwise spectrum and there is little energy at the sam frequencies for the counterclockwise current spectrum. In this region, amplitudes of the near-inertial currents can be as high as 40 cm s-i. These currents are surface-intensified and display an increase in amplitude from the shelf break to offshore. between November 1997 and March 1998, they were effectively generated by shifting winds accompanying passages of cold fronts. For this time period, near-inertial currents are reasonable well-simulated by a mixed-layer model forced by observed winds. During summer 1997, however, enhanced near-inertial motions often resulted from resonance between winds and existing currents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA475411
Entities
People
- Ewa Jarosz
- William J. Teague
- Z. R. Hallock
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory