Wind drift, Stokes drift and wind-wave disequilibrium
Abstract
Research is proposed to explore a new approach for the prediction of near-surface wind and wave drift and to examine and analyze the resulting drift velocity fields. The approach is based on the PI s recent formulation of a new framework and an initial, semi-empirical calibration for computing the total mean near-surface drift under homogeneous, equilibrium conditions. An implication of the theoretical framework is that only the wave drift deriving from the departure of the wave state from equilibrium need be computed explicitly. Operational wave fields will be examined to determine and characterize statistically their relative departure from equilibrium. The associated, disequilibrium wave drifts will be compared to the total mean predicted drift obtained under the homogeneous, equilibrium approximation. The proposed research would clarify fundamental issues in ocean wave-drift dynamics and could change and simplify the calculation of wave drift in coupled ocean-atmosphere-wave models, potentially including those used for search and rescue operations and for the prediction of the motion of floating debris. It is also potentially relevant to the development of a wave-history-dependent bulk aerodynamic algorithm for wind stress, an important current research problem in air-sea interaction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312579
Entities
People
- Roger M Samelson
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy