Toward Realistic Modeling of a Shelfbreak Front: Lagrangian Metrics and Process Studies for the Middle Atlantic Bight

Abstract

A region where predictive capability is sought for tactical concerns is the flow field in the vicinity of the continental shelfbreak. Sound propagation from the continental slope to the continental shelf is a complex process that is highly dependent upon the oceanographic environment. A strong thermal shelfbreak front, and its associated current, are the key features that influence acoustic propagation in many shelf regions. Theory and field data suggest that acoustic propagation is strongly affected by frontal features that can evolve on rapid temporal scales (1-2 days) and small spatial scales (10-20 km). The overall aim of this proposed work is to improve our ability to realistically model and predict the evolution of the shelfbreak front so as to advance the predictive capability of this region.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2001
Accession Number
ADA628063

Entities

People

  • M. S. Lozier

Organizations

  • Duke University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Propagation
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Continental Shelves
  • Continental Slopes
  • Environment
  • Flow
  • Flow Fields
  • North Carolina
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Physical Oceanography
  • Regions
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Three Dimensional
  • Time Series Analysis
  • Topography

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Oceanography.