scholarly journals M2 Internal Tides and Their Observed Wavenumber Spectra from Satellite Altimetry

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Ray ◽  
E. D. Zaron

AbstractA near-global chart of surface elevations associated with the stationary M2 internal tide is empirically constructed from multimission satellite altimeter data. An advantage of a strictly empirical mapping approach is that results are independent of assumptions about ocean wave dynamics and, in fact, can be used to test such assumptions. A disadvantage is that present-day altimeter coverage is only marginally adequate to support mapping such short-wavelength features. Moreover, predominantly north–south ground-track orientations and contamination from nontidal oceanographic variability can lead to deficiencies in mapped tides. Independent data from Cryosphere Satellite-2 (CryoSat-2) and other altimeters are used to test the solutions and show positive reduction in variance except in regions of large mesoscale variability. The tidal fields are subjected to two-dimensional wavenumber spectral analysis, which allows for the construction of an empirical map of modal wavelengths. Mode-1 wavelengths show good agreement with theoretical wavelengths calculated from the ocean’s mean stratification, with a few localized exceptions (e.g., Tasman Sea). Mode-2 waves are detectable in much of the ocean, with wavelengths in reasonable agreement with theoretical expectations, but their spectral signatures grow too weak to map in some regions.

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harley E. Hurlburt ◽  
Robert C. Rhodes ◽  
Charlie N. Barron ◽  
E. J. Metzger ◽  
Ole M. Smedstad

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2530
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Zhao ◽  
Zhenhua Xu ◽  
Ming Feng ◽  
Qun Li ◽  
Peiwen Zhang ◽  
...  

The mode-1 semidiurnal internal tides that emanate from multiple sources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas are investigated using multi-satellite altimeter data from 1993–2020. A practical plane-wave analysis method is used to separately extract multiple coherent internal tides, with the nontidal noise in the internal tide field further removed by a two-dimensional (2-D) spatial band-pass filter. The complex radiation pathways and interference patterns of the internal tides are revealed, showing a spatial contrast between the Sulu Sea and the Sulawesi Sea. The mode-1 semidiurnal internal tides in the Sulawesi Sea are effectively generated from both the Sulu and Sangihe Island chains, forming a spatially inhomogeneous interference pattern in the deep basin. A cylindrical internal tidal wave pattern from the Sibutu passage is confirmed for the first time, which modulates the interference pattern. The interference field can be reproduced by a line source model. A weak reflected internal tidal beam off the Sulawesi slope is revealed. In contrast, the Sulu Island chain is the sole energetic internal tide source in the Sulu Sea, thus featuring a relatively consistent wave and energy flux field in the basin. These energetic semidiurnal internal tidal beams contribute to the frequent occurrence of internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the study area. On the basis of the 28-year consistent satellite measurements, the northward semidiurnal tidal energy flux from the Sulu Island chain is 0.46 GW, about 25% of the southward energy flux. For M2, the altimetric estimated energy fluxes from the Sulu Island chain are about 80% of those from numerical simulations. The total semidiurnal tidal energy flux from the Sulu and Sangihe Island chains into the Sulawesi Sea is about 2.7 GW.


2021 ◽  
pp. 126860
Author(s):  
Atul Kumar Rai ◽  
Zafar Beg ◽  
Abhilash Singh ◽  
Kumar Gaurav

Author(s):  
Ed Mackay ◽  
AbuBakr Bahaj ◽  
Chris Retzler ◽  
Peter Challenor

The use of altimeter measurements of significant wave height and energy period for quantifying wave energy resource is investigated. A new algorithm for calculating wave period from altimeter data, developed by the authors in previous work, is used to estimate the power generated by the Pelamis wave energy converter and compared to estimates from collocated buoy data. In offshore locations accurate estimates of monthly and annual mean power can be achieved by combining measurements from six altimeter missions. Furthermore, by averaging along sections of the altimeter ground track, we demonstrate that it is possible to gauge the spatial variability in nearshore areas, with a resolution of the order of 10 km. Although measurements along individual tracks are temporally sparse, with TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason on a 10 day repeat orbit, GFO 17 days, and ERS-2 and ENVISAT 35 days, the long record of altimeter measurements means that multi-year mean power from single tracks are of a useful accuracy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-C. Lin ◽  
C.-R. Ho ◽  
Y.-H. Cheng

Abstract. The spatial and temporal distribution of sea-level rise has the potential to cause regional flooding in certain areas, and low-lying island countries are severely at risk. Tuvalu, an atoll country located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, has been inundated by this regional flooding for decades. Tuvaluans call this regional flooding phenomenon King Tide, a term not clearly defined, blaming it for loss of life and property in announcing their intention to migrate. In this study, we clarified and interpreted King Tide, and analyzed the factors of King Tide in Tuvalu. Using tide gauge and topographical data, we estimated that 3.2 m could be considered the threshold of King Tide, which implied half of the island of Tuvalu was flooded with seawater. This threshold is consistent with the finding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that King Tide events occur once or twice a year. We surveyed 28 King Tide events to analyze the factors of regional flooding. Tide gauge and satellite altimeter data from 1993 to 2012 were cross-validated and indicated that the King Tide phenomenon is significantly related to the warm-water effect. Warm water contributed to the King Tide phenomenon by an average of 5.1% and a maximum of 7.8%. The height of King Tide is affected by the combined factors of spring tide, storm surge, climate variability, and, significantly, by the warm-water effect.


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