Numerical simulation of the generation, evolution and dissipation of internal waves in the Gulf of California
Abstract
A numerical study was made for tidal internal waves in the Gulf of California, between San Esteban and San Lorenzo Islands. Waves were simulated by the interaction of a sill and semidiurnal barotropic tide, using a three-dimensional numerical model. The model domain has two open boundaries and two close boundaries by the coast of Baja California and the mainland, which look like a channel. It has been included a variable bottom with the bathymetry of the region. The model was forced with semidiurnal sea level variation on the South open boundary. Analysis of numerical results agrees with measurements of amplitudes, and phase speed founded and reported previously for internal waves in this area. The variables of numerical model studied were: temperature, velocity component along the gulf and turbulent kinetic energy in a depth-along gulf section. We studied how the barotropic tide energy changes to baroclinic mode, and also the generation and dissipation of the internal high frequency waves. When the turbulent kinetic energy was calculated at the left side (south) and the right side (North) to the sill using two model profiles, it was founded that the dissipation rate is about 40-45%. The trajectory of characteristics rays of internal waves has a similar behavior in numerical model as it was reported in previous works using in-situ measurements.
- Publication:
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AGU Spring Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUSMOS31B..06R
- Keywords:
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- 4255 OCEANOGRAPHY: GENERAL / Numerical modeling;
- 4544 OCEANOGRAPHY: PHYSICAL / Internal and inertial waves;
- 4562 OCEANOGRAPHY: PHYSICAL / Topographic/bathymetric interactions