PhilEx Profiling Measurements of Internal Waves and Mixing Processes
Abstract
This project aims to increase our understanding of internal wave processes in straits and archipelagos, including the generation and propagation of internal tides at sills and constrictions, topographic modification of near-inertial motions, and the relative roles of local and remote forcing. These processes influence mixing and momentum transport, and their accurate representation in numerical models is necessary to simulate flow and property distributions in complex regions. An eventual goal is the improvement of such models. OBJECTIVES * To obtain high-resolution measurements of temperature, salinity, and velocity fine structure in the little-studied straits and basins of the Philippine Archipelago for the purposes of characterizing the spatial and temporal variability of internal tides and near-inertial internal waves, as well as other flow-driven mixing processes. * To provide in-situ data for testing of numerical models of tides and circulation through the archipelago. * To demonstrate the capabilities of profiling floats for remote surveying of constricted regions over long periods of time with limited ship access. * To test the ability of EM-APEX floats to perform in a region of low vertical magnetic field strength (the magnetic equator). * To understand the climatology of internal waves in the diurnal, semidiurnal, and inertial bands, including forcing mechanisms, topographic effects, and dependence on mean flow and stratification.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA527124
Entities
People
- James B. Girton
- Matthew H. Alford
Organizations
- University of Washington