Observation of transhemispheric waves on the southern coast of the Canary Islands

Abstract

Swells that reach the coast of the Canary Islands from northern latitudes are well studied and documented, but scientific literature on the arrival of swells from the southern hemisphere is very scarce. The effects of this type of wave can be appreciated in the south coast of the Canary Islands at certain times of the year. These waves have low significant height, but long periods. The Spanish public system for forecasting of the marine environment (SIMAR database) may not be replicating this type of swell accurately. For this reason, its effect may have been underestimated in the design and management of coastal infrastructures. The aim of this research is to study the frequency and features of swells arriving from the extratropical region of the southern hemisphere to the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the subtropical North Atlantic. For this purpose, a systematic visual observation of the waves reaching the coast of the Canary Island of Tenerife from the south, and comparisons with wave models and registers of buoys were carried out. The observation period was 1 year. A total number of six events with sufficient correlation were recorded. The possible origin of each of these events has been studied.