Abstract

Abstract The behavior of bottom-trapped waves on a topographic slope, as they propagate towards a deeper region of constant depth, is examined using a quasi-geostrophic model. It is seen that there can be no free transmitted wave to the region of constant depth. The bottom-trapped energy is thus segregated in the region of the slope and its vicinity. The details of how this occurs are worked out for a slope shoaling towards the west. For a given frequency and meridional wavenumber, two free bottom-trapped waves can exist on the slope, with the shorter (longer) of the two having an eastward (westward) group velocity. When the short wave propagates to the region of constant depth, a reflected wave is generated. There is no transmitted wave, but a ‘fringe’ which decays away from the interface between the slope and the region of flat topography is produced. Over the flat topography the fringe consists of baroclinic and barotropic motions which lead to bottom-intensification in the immediate vicinity of the slope and to increasingly barotropic currents farther away.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.