Wind and tide current prediction using a 3D finite difference model in the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain)

C Souto,L Alvarez,E Fariña-Busto,I Rodríguez

doi:10.3989/scimar.2001.65s1269

Abstract

A 3D barotropic finite difference model was adapted to reproduce the dynamics of the Ria de Vigo estuary, in the north-west corner of Spain. The model has been applied with astronomical tide and observed wind forcing data. The results are compared to data obtained by an AANDERAA DCM 12 acoustic Doppler current meter at one point of the Ria.

Highlights

The Ría de Vigo is an estuary located on the Atlantic coast of the north-west corner of Spain, and is the southernmost of the four which are often collectively referred to as the Galician Rías Baixas
It extends along 32 km in a NE-SW direction, opening steadily from 1 km width at the 20 m deep Rande
The results presented correspond to the northern mouth of the Ría de Vigo, so that u < 0 and v > 0 corresponds to a current which flows out from the

Summary

Introduction

The Ría de Vigo is an estuary located on the Atlantic coast of the north-west corner of Spain, and is the southernmost of the four which are often collectively referred to as the Galician Rías Baixas. It extends along 32 km in a NE-SW direction, opening steadily from 1 km width at the 20 m deep Rande. It opens to the shelf through two mouths: the northern one is 2.5 km wide and has a maximum depth of 25 m and the southern one is 5 km wide and has a maximum depth of 50 m depth In between both mouths are the two Cíes Islands (Fig. 1)

Methods

Results

Conclusion