Parameterizing Internal Wave Boundary Mixing in a Canyon
Abstract
This project, in collaboration with Eric Kunze at the University of Victoria, aimed to increase our understanding of (primarily tidal) internal wave processes and how they affect diapycnal mixing in the coastal ocean, with an eventual goal of improved representation of baroclinic tides and mixing parameterizations in numerical models. Our work is expected to add significantly to the knowledge of the internal wave field, its interactions with topography, and implications for mixing of tracers and momentum. Both the wave field and the topographic interactions are generally not well-represented in numerical models, resulting in a great degree of uncertainty over appropriate mixing coefficients or parameterizations. Our measurements will permit validation of existing parameterizations in a small highly-resolved region, as well as aid in the development of new parameterizations. Our work will continue on our new grant N00014-08-1-0983, "Analysis of Internal Tide Observations from the August 2006 AESOP Experiment."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 11, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA510398
Entities
People
- Eric Kunze
- James B. Girton
Organizations
- University of Washington