Tidal Modulation of Surface Gravity Waves in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines the tidal modulation of surface gravity waves in the Gulf of Maine (GoM) by using in situ observations and numerical model results. Analysis of observational data demonstrates significant semidiurnal tidal modulations in the mean wave variables for swell-dominated waves in the region. The observed tidal modulation features significant spatial–temporal variabilities, with large magnitudes near the mouth of the GoM. Observations also demonstrate unusual timing of the maximum modulation of significant wave height Hs in the following tidal currents. The coupled wave–circulation model successfully reproduces the observed tidal modulation and the associated spatial–temporal variabilities. Model results demonstrate that the maximum Hs modulations are first generated during the maximum flood tide or ebb tide near the mouth of the GoM and then propagate onto the inner gulf. Around the mouth of the GoM, tidal currents have strong spatial gradients, resulting in great effects of current-induced convergence, refraction, and wavenumber shift. The tidal modulation in Hs generated by convergence (10%–14%) is less affected by the wave propagation direction than the modulation generated by the wavenumber shift (6%–10%) and refraction (4%–20%). The latter modulation varies significantly with changes in the wave propagation direction. In addition, current-enhanced dissipation becomes important during high winds, which reduces at least one-half of the Hs modulation during the study period. The observed unusual timing of the maximum Hs modulation in the following tidal currents can be mostly explained by the convergence and wavenumber shift associated with wave-energy convergence and energy transfer from currents to waves in spatially decelerating currents.