Topographic Influences on Shelf Circulation
Abstract
The long-term goal of this project is to understand how extensive irregular bottom topography on the shelf and slope determines the statistics of coastal flow fields. Specifically, observations show that cross-shelf currents (on time scales longer than a day) are energetic and spatially incoherent. This fact has not been explained to date, even though we have a reasonably good dynamical representation of coastal sea level and alongshore flow characteristics. Although there are several possible mechanisms to explain the cross-shelf flow, this activity focuses on the possibility that a realistic continuum of bottom irregularities, in the presence of a coherent alongshore flow, can act to generate the observed properties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA628745
Entities
People
- Kenneth H. Brink
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution