GENERATION OF INTERNAL WAVES BY A SUB-MESOSCALE EDDY AT CAPE SVYATOY NOS IN THE BARENTS SEA

Abstract

Data on generation of soliton-like internal waves by a mesoscale eddy in the region of the Barents Sea near Cape Svyatoy Nos, widely known for its dynamic activity, are presented here. The results are based on the analysis of satellite optical (Sentinel-2 MSI) and radar (Sentinel-1 SAR) images obtained sequentially on August 8 and 9, 2021. A detailed analysis of the dynamics of the eddy and internal waves was made possible due, among other things, to the phytoplankton bloom, which created the necessary optical contrasts that make it possible to monitor the dynamics of currents in the near-surface layer of the sea. Significant parameters of recorded internal waves were measured using satellite methods and analyzed using the TPXO9.0 model and numerical solution of the internal wave equation. It has been shown, that internal waves were caused by a submesoscale eddy formed near the cape. Waves had quite low velocity (0.10–0.16 m/s) what was due to weak stratification of the water environment.