Barotropic and baroclinic waves in Lake Taupo

Abstract

Abstract Results from current and water level gauging records in Lake Taupo (38°48.3'S, 175°55'E) are presented. An internal seiche (baroclinic long wave) with a period of between 16 and 19 h is identified. This period is close to the inertial period (19.12 h) and, accordingly, the flow is strongly influenced by trie Coriolis force. The 7 longest‐period barotropic long wave periods (in the range of 35 to 11 min) are also determined with high accuracy.