Intermittent large amplitude internal waves observed in Port Susan, Puget Sound. (15th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, J.C.; Decker, L.
• Is Part Of: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. Volume 194(2017)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 149
• Publication Date: 2017-07-15
• Subjects: Internal waves -- Korteweg-de Vries equation -- Mixing processes -- Coastal waters -- Tidal effects; Estuarine oceanography -- Periodicals; Coasts -- Periodicals; Estuarine biology -- Periodicals; Seashore biology -- Periodicals; Coasts; Estuarine biology; Estuarine oceanography; Seashore biology; Periodicals; 551.461805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.04.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7714

Abstract

Abstract: A previously unreported internal tidal bore, which evolves into solitary internal wave packets, was observed in Port Susan, Puget Sound, and the timing, speed, and amplitude of the waves were measured by CTD and visual observation. Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements were attempted, but unsuccessful. The waves appear to be generated with the ebb flow along the tidal flats of the Stillaguamish River, and the speed and width of the resulting waves can be predicted from second-order KdV theory. Their eventual dissipation may contribute significantly to surface mixing locally, particularly in comparison with the local dissipation due to the tides. Visually the waves appear in fair weather as a strong foam front, which is less visible the farther they propagate.