Modeling Ocean Tides and Their Energetics in the North Patagonia Gulfs of Argentina

Abstract

Abstract During the last decade, global tidal models have spectacularly improved. However, they still have difficulties in resolving tides over continental shelves and near coastlines. This study of tidal propagation from the continental shelf to the North Patagonia Gulfs of Argentina applies a set of three nested high resolution models based on the Hamburg shelf ocean model (HamSOM), where particular attention was paid to the bathymetry and the coast line. The study is complemented by the use of all the tidal gauge and tidal current observations available. Simulations display good agreement with observations, permitting the construction of higher resolution and more reliable cotidal and corange charts. The tidal regime in the area is essentially semidiurnal and dominated by M2. This constituent propagates northward as a Kelvin wave and reaches the gulfs from the south. In their interior an important amplification is observed. Tidal currents are large at the mouths of the gulfs, and weaken toward their in...