Near-inertial motions in the coastal ocean

Abstract

Internal-inertial waves are frequently observed in the upper ocean and below the thermocline. A three-dimensional general circulation model with turbulence-closure mixed layer is used to study the generation and propagation of near-inertial motion below the mixed layer. In particular, the problem of effect of a coastal wall on the wind induced inertial-internal wave field is re-examined using a fully nonlinear model. Responding to a wind pulse, a sharp wavefront propagates offshore. After the wavefront passage, strong near-inertial internal waves, marked by the tilting velocity isolines and the interface oscillations, are generated. The predicted near-inertial motion is consistent with the wave dispersion relation. Downward energy propagation occurs after the wavefront passage, and both kinetic and potential energy are strongly modified. After several inertial periods, the kinetic energy in the upper layer can be completely removed. The theoretical results, which are supported by observations, indicate that internal-inertial wave are important for mixing in the upper coastal ocean.