Wave-Coherent Airflow and Critical Layers over Ocean Waves

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 2156-2172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Grare ◽  
Luc Lenain ◽  
W. Kendall Melville
Keyword(s):  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Critical Height ◽  
Office Of Naval Research ◽  
Mean Wind Speed ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Waves

Abstract An analysis of coherent measurements of winds and waves from data collected during the Office of Naval Research (ONR) High-Resolution air–sea interaction (HiRes) program, from the Floating Instrument Platform (R/P FLIP), off the coast of northern California in June 2010 is presented. A suite of wind and wave measuring systems was deployed to resolve the modulation of the marine atmospheric boundary layer by waves. Spectral analysis of the data provided the wave-induced components of the wind velocity for various wind–wave conditions. The power spectral density, the amplitude, and the phase (relative to the waves) of these wave-induced components are computed and bin averaged over spectral wave age c/U(z) or c/u*, where c is the linear phase speed of the waves, U(z) is the mean wind speed measured at the height z of the anemometer, and u* is the friction velocity in the air. Results are qualitatively consistent with the critical layer theory of Miles. Across the critical height zc, defined such that U(zc) = c, the wave-induced vertical and horizontal velocities change significantly in both amplitude and phase. The measured wave-induced momentum flux shows that, for growing waves, less than 10% of the momentum flux at z ≈ 10 m is supported by waves longer than approximately 15 m. For older sea states, these waves are able to generate upward wave-induced momentum flux opposed to the overall downward momentum flux. The measured amplitude of this upward wave-induced momentum flux was up to 20% of the value of the total wind stress when Cp/u* > 60, where Cp is the phase speed at the peak of the wave spectrum.

Vertical Profiles of the Wave-Induced Airflow above Ocean Surface Waves

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 2901-2922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Grare ◽  
Luc Lenain ◽  
W. Kendall Melville
Keyword(s):  
Southern California ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Critical Layer ◽  
Wave Age ◽  
Ocean Surface Waves ◽  
Sonic Anemometers ◽  
Mean Wind Speed ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Waves

AbstractAn analysis of coherent measurements of winds and waves from data collected during the ONR Southern California 2013 (SoCal2013) program from R/P FLIP off the coast of Southern California in November 2013 is presented. An array of ultrasonic anemometers mounted on a telescopic mast was deployed to resolve the vertical profile of the modulation of the marine atmospheric boundary layer by the waves. Spectral analysis of the data provides the wave-induced components of the wind velocity for various wind-wave conditions. Results show that the wave-induced fluctuations depend both on the spectral wave age and the normalized height , where c is the linear phase speed of the waves with wavenumber k and is the mean wind speed measured at the height z. The dependence on the spectral wave age expresses the sensitivity of the wave-induced airflow to the critical layer where . Across the critical layer, there is a significant change of both the amplitude and phase of the wave-induced fluctuations. Below the critical layer, the phase remains constant while the amplitude decays exponentially depending on the normalized height. Accounting for this double dependency, the nondimensionalization of the amplitude of the wave-induced fluctuations by the surface orbital velocity collapses all the data measured by the array of sonic anemometers, where a is the amplitude of the waves.

scholarly journals Random wave-driven drag forces on near-bed vegetation in shallow water based on deepwater wind conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 233 (4) ◽  
pp. 1287-1290
Author(s):  
Dag Myrhaug
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Drag Force ◽  
Wind Waves ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Random Wave ◽  
Random Waves ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Mean Wind Speed ◽  
Wave Induced

This article provides a simple analytical method for giving estimates of random wave-driven drag forces on near-bed vegetation in shallow water from deepwater wind conditions. Results are exemplified using a Pierson–Moskowitz model wave spectrum for wind waves with the mean wind speed at the 10 m elevation above the sea surface as the parameter. The significant value of the drag force within a sea state of random waves is given, and an example typical for field conditions is presented. This method should serve as a useful tool for assessing random wave-induced drag force on vegetation in coastal zones and estuaries based on input from deepwater wind conditions.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of AIRS and HIRDLS stratospheric gravity wave observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin I. Meyer ◽  
Manfred Ern ◽  
Lars Hoffmann ◽  
Quang Thai Trinh ◽  
M. Joan Alexander
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Wave Activity ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Wave Event ◽  
The Waves

Abstract. We investigate stratospheric gravity wave observations by the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) aboard NASA's Aqua satellite and the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) aboard NASA's Aura satellite. AIRS operational temperature retrievals are typically not used for studies of gravity waves, because their vertical and horizontal resolution is rather limited. This study uses data of a high-resolution retrieval which provides stratospheric temperature profiles for each individual satellite footprint. Therefore the horizontal sampling of the high-resolution retrieval is 9 times better than that of the operational retrieval. HIRDLS provides 2-D spectral information of observed gravity waves in terms of along-track and vertical wavelengths. AIRS as a nadir sounder is more sensitive to short-horizontal-wavelength gravity waves, and HIRDLS as a limb sounder is more sensitive to short-vertical-wavelength gravity waves. Therefore HIRDLS is ideally suited to complement AIRS observations. A calculated momentum flux factor indicates that the waves seen by AIRS contribute significantly to momentum flux, even if the AIRS temperature variance may be small compared to HIRDLS. The stratospheric wave structures observed by AIRS and HIRDLS often agree very well. Case studies of a mountain wave event and a non-orographic wave event demonstrate that the observed phase structures of AIRS and HIRDLS are also similar. AIRS has a coarser vertical resolution, which results in an attenuation of the amplitude and coarser vertical wavelengths than for HIRDLS. However, AIRS has a much higher horizontal resolution, and the propagation direction of the waves can be clearly identified in geographical maps. The horizontal orientation of the phase fronts can be deduced from AIRS 3-D temperature fields. This is a restricting factor for gravity wave analyses of limb measurements. Additionally, temperature variances with respect to stratospheric gravity wave activity are compared on a statistical basis. The complete HIRDLS measurement period from January 2005 to March 2008 is covered. The seasonal and latitudinal distributions of gravity wave activity as observed by AIRS and HIRDLS agree well. A strong annual cycle at mid- and high latitudes is found in time series of gravity wave variances at 42 km, which has its maxima during wintertime and its minima during summertime. The variability is largest during austral wintertime at 60∘ S. Variations in the zonal winds at 2.5 hPa are associated with large variability in gravity wave variances. Altogether, gravity wave variances of AIRS and HIRDLS are complementary to each other. Large parts of the gravity wave spectrum are covered by joint observations. This opens up fascinating vistas for future gravity wave research.

Doppler Correction of Wave Frequency Spectra Measured by Underway Vessels

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. O. Collins ◽  
B. Blomquist ◽  
O. Persson ◽  
B. Lund ◽  
W. E. Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Shift ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Laser Rangefinder ◽  
Wave Direction ◽  
Frequency Spectra ◽  
Office Of Naval Research ◽  
Research Initiative

Abstract“Sea State and Boundary Layer Physics of the Emerging Arctic Ocean” is an ongoing Departmental Research Initiative sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (http://www.apl.washington.edu/project/project.php?id=arctic_sea_state). The field component took place in the fall of 2015 within the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and involved the deployment of a number of wave instruments, including a downward-looking Riegl laser rangefinder mounted on the foremast of the R/V Sikuliaq. Although time series measurements on a stationary vessel are thought to be accurate, an underway vessel introduces a Doppler shift to the observed wave spectrum. This Doppler shift is a function of the wavenumber vector and the velocity vector of the vessel. Of all the possible relative angles between wave direction and vessel heading, there are two main scenarios: 1) vessel steaming into waves and 2) vessel steaming with waves. Previous studies have considered only a subset of cases, and all were in scenario 1. This was likely to avoid ambiguities, which arise when the vessel is steaming with waves. This study addresses the ambiguities and analyzes arbitrary cases. In addition, a practical method is provided that is useful in situations when the vessel is changing speed or heading. These methods improved the laser rangefinder estimates of spectral shapes and peak parameters when compared to nearby buoys and a spectral wave model.

scholarly journals A Wave-Resolving Simulation of Langmuir Circulations with a Nonhydrostatic Free-Surface Model: Comparison with Craik–Leibovich Theory and an Alternative Eulerian View of the Driving Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1691-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Fujiwara ◽  
Yutaka Yoshikawa ◽  
Yoshimasa Matsumura
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Wave Motion ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Current Speed ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Langmuir Circulations ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Waves ◽  
Present Simulation

AbstractThe present study performs a wave-resolving simulation of wind-driven currents under monochromatic surface gravity waves using the latest nonhydrostatic free-surface numerical model. Here, phase speed of the waves is set much greater than the current speed. Roll structures very similar to observed Langmuir circulations (LCs) appear in the simulation only when both waves and down-wave surface currents are present, demonstrating that the rolls are driven by the wave–current interaction. A vorticity analysis of simulated mean flow reveals that the rolls are driven by the torque associated with wave motion, which arises from a correlation between wave-induced vorticity fluctuation and the wave motion itself. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the wave-induced torque is very well represented by the curl of the vortex force (VF), that is, the vector product of mean vorticity and Stokes drift velocity. Therefore, it is concluded that the simulated rolls are LCs and that the wave effects are well represented by the VF expression in the present simulation. The present study further revisits the scaling assumptions made by previous studies that derived VF formulation and shows that there is disagreement among the previous studies regarding the applicability of VF formulation when the wave orbital velocity (proportional to the amplitude times the frequency) is much smaller than the mean flow velocity. The result from the present simulation shows that the VF expression is still valid even with such small wave amplitudes, as long as phase speed of the waves is much greater than the current speed.

scholarly journals Long-term wave growth and its linear and nonlinear interactions with wind fluctuations

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Ge ◽  
P. C. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Field ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Wave Interactions ◽  
Wave Growth ◽  
Linear And Nonlinear ◽  
Equilibrium Range ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Waves

Abstract. Following Ge and Liu (2007), the simultaneously recorded time series of wave elevation and wind velocity are examined for long-term (on Lavrenov's τ4-scale or 3 to 6 h) linear and nonlinear interactions between the wind fluctuations and the wave field. Over such long times the detected interaction patterns should reveal general characteristics for the wave growth process. The time series are divided into three episodes, each approximately 1.33 h long, to represent three sequential stages of wave growth. The classic Fourier-domain spectral and bispectral analyses are used to identify the linear and quadratic interactions between the waves and the wind fluctuations as well as between different components of the wave field. The results show clearly that as the wave field grows the linear interaction becomes enhanced and covers wider range of frequencies. Two different wave-induced components of the wind fluctuations are identified. These components, one at around 0.4 Hz and the other at around 0.15 to 0.2 Hz, are generated and supported by both linear and quadratic wind-wave interactions probably through the distortions of the waves to the wind field. The fact that the higher-frequency wave-induced component always stays with the equilibrium range of the wave spectrum around 0.4 Hz and the lower-frequency one tends to move with the downshifting of the primary peak of the wave spectrum defines the partition of the primary peak and the equilibrium range of the wave spectrum, a characteristic that could not be revealed by short-time wavelet-based analyses in Ge and Liu (2007). Furthermore, these two wave-induced peaks of the wind spectrum appear to have different patterns of feedback to the wave field. The quadratic wave-wave interactions also are assessed using the auto-bispectrum and are found to be especially active during the first and the third episodes. Such directly detected wind-wave interactions, both linear and nonlinear, may complement the existing theoretical and numerical models, and can be used for future model development and validation.

scholarly journals Measuring currents, ice drift, and waves from space: the Sea Surface KInematics Multiscale monitoring (SKIM) concept

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Ardhuin ◽  
Yevgueny Aksenov ◽  
Alvise Benetazzo ◽  
Laurent Bertino ◽  
Peter Brandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Tropical Ocean ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Wave Induced

Abstract. We propose a new satellite mission that uses a near-nadir Ka-band Doppler radar to measure surface currents, ice drift and ocean waves at spatial scales of 40 km and more, with snapshots at least every day for latitudes 75 to 82, and every few days otherwise. The use of incidence angles at 6 and 12 degrees allows a measurement of the directional wave spectrum which yields accurate corrections of the wave-induced bias in the current measurements. The instrument principle, algorithm for current velocity and mission performance are presented here. The proposed instrument can reveal features on tropical ocean and marginal ice zone dynamics that are inaccessible to other measurement systems, as well as a global monitoring of the ocean mesoscale that surpasses the capability of today’s nadir altimeters. Measuring ocean wave properties facilitates many applications, from wave-current interactions and air-sea fluxes to the transport and convergence of marine plastic debris and assessment of marine and coastal hazards.

Shipboard Measurement of Ocean Waves

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Fu ◽  
Anne M. Fullerton ◽  
Erin E. Hackett ◽  
Craig Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Wave Spectra ◽  
Individual Measurement ◽  
Office Of Naval Research ◽  
Wave Radar ◽  
New Instrumentation ◽  
Directional Wave ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf

Over the past several years a number of techniques have been utilized for the measurement of ocean waves from shipboard platforms. These systems have ranged from commercial off the shelf (COTS) navigation radar and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems to specially developed in-house instrumentation systems. Most of these systems have been utilized to measure the directional wave spectra around the ship. More recently, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) and others have begun to utilize these techniques for shipboard measurement of individual ship generated waves as well as open ocean waves. NSWCCD has used a number of these methods on various Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) sponsored field tests. These field tests were performed on a variety of naval platforms over a range of sizes, including some fixed platforms, for various sea states. While each of these tests has had individual measurement goals and objectives, the series of tests has also provided an environment for testing and developing new instrumentation and exploring their capabilities. As a result of these efforts, instrumentation has grown in sophistication from qualitative video-based observations of the wave field around an underway vessel to laser and radar based imaging and ranging measurements of free surface dynamics. This work has led to higher fidelity data, as well as data that were previously unobtainable. In this paper we provide an overview of these systems and techniques and summarize the basic capabilities of each method by providing measurement examples/applications. These systems include a shipboard array of ultrasonic distance sensors for measuring directional wave spectra, a COTS wave radar system, and a COTS scanning LIDAR system. While not intending to be exhaustive, this paper seeks to highlight the insights gained from the recent applications of these techniques, as well as the difficulties and issues associated with shipboard measurements such as ship motion and logistical constraints.

Field experiments on wave-ice interaction in the Bering Sea and Greenland waters, 1979

Polar Record ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (125) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wadhams ◽  
Vernon A. Squire
Keyword(s):  
Bering Sea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Naval Research ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Office Of Naval Research ◽  
The Bering Sea

Three field experiments in widely separated parts of the Arctic were carried out during 1979 to complete a study of the interaction between ocean waves and sea ice in the marginal ice zone. The aim of the project is to determine the distribution of floe sizes that is generated by a given incident wave field, and this requires measurements of wave decay, of the bending and body responses of floes, and of the strain necessary to cause fracture. The first series of experiments was carried out in 1978 (Wadhams, 1979) off Labrador and east Greenland. The 1979 series consisted of participation in a University of Washington cruise aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Surveyor to the Bering Sea; participation in the ground truth component of the Sursat remote sensing experiment off west Greenland; and finally a main summer experiment at Mesters Vig, east Greenland, in the same location as the 1978 main experiment. The Office of Naval Research (ONR), Washington DC, funded the study, and the two Greenland experiments were carried out in cooperation with the Electromagnetics Institute, Technical University of Denmark (TUD), Lyngby, with Danish government finance.

scholarly journals Tuning of a convective gravity wave source scheme based on HIRDLS observations

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 7335-7356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quang Thai Trinh ◽  
Silvio Kalisch ◽  
Peter Preusse ◽  
Manfred Ern ◽  
Hye-Yeong Chun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
Momentum Balance ◽  
Horizontal Scale ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Wave Source

Abstract. Convection as one dominant source of atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) has been the focus of investigation over recent years. However, its spatial and temporal forcing scales are not well known. In this work we address this open issue by a systematic verification of free parameters of the Yonsei convective GW source scheme based on observations from the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS). The instrument can only see a limited portion of the gravity wave spectrum due to visibility effects and observation geometry. To allow for a meaningful comparison of simulated GWs to observations, a comprehensive filter, which mimics the instrument limitations, is applied to the simulated waves. By this approach, only long horizontal-scale convective GWs are addressed. Results show that spectrum, distribution of momentum flux, and zonal mean forcing of long horizontal-scale convective GWs can be successfully simulated by the superposition of three or four combinations of parameter sets reproducing the observed GW spectrum. These selected parameter sets are different for northern and southern summer. Although long horizontal-scale waves are only part of the full spectrum of convective GWs, the momentum flux of these waves is found to be significant and relevant for the driving of the QBO (quasi-biennial oscillation). The zonal momentum balance is considered in vertical cross sections of GW momentum flux (GWMF) and GW drag (GWD). Global maps of the horizontal distribution of GWMF are considered and consistency between simulated results and HIRDLS observations is found. The latitude dependence of the zonal phase speed spectrum of GWMF and its change with altitude is discussed.

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