A solution for the correct interpolation of data across regions with abrupt changes in tidal phase-lag

Abstract

This paper provides an explanation of an automated solution for correctly interpolating phase-lags across abrupt boundaries. Although an automated solution to this problem has existed for several years, this is not commonly known and so many researchers continue to perform corrections manually. Interpolation errors commonly occur when tidal propagation surfaces are generated for regimes with amphidromic points. General correction methods are manual, clunky and prone to operator error. The problem can be solved by applying a simple method to scalarize the phase-lag vectors pre-interpolation. This approach successfully and automatically generates correct tidal phase-lag interpolation values and may be applied to any surface mapping software used to interpolate phase-lags.