Abstract
A three-dimensional, general ocean circulation model is applied to the Strait of Gibraltar. The model is driven at the open boundaries by the observed barotropic diurnal and semidiurnal tidal transport. The initial density distribution is a lock-exchange in which half of the basin is the Atlantic water and the other half the Mediterranean water. The model is run over a 15 day spring-neap cycle, and the results are compared quantitatively with data obtained from the Gibraltar Experiment. The model and data are well correlated ( γ 2>0.9) for the mean velocity and salinity over all moored current measurements. The predicted semidiurnal interface amplitudes of 33 and 15 m on the sill and at the eastern end are also comparable with the observed amplitudes of 40 m and 15 m. The model indicates that the diurnal tidal current has significant effect on the generation and propagation of semidiurnal internal tide. The diurnal inequality is distinct at the eastern end in both the surface current and the arrival time of internal tidal surge. The model also indicates that the semidiurnal S 2 component contributes to a fortnightly cycle in the tidally averaged interface depth and vertical shear variations. The interface is deeper and the vertical shear is larger in neap tide than in spring tide. The predicted diurnal inequality and fortnightly cycle are consistent with the observational evidence.
Published Version
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