On M2 tidal amplitude enhancement in the Taiwan Strait and its asymmetry in the cross-strait direction. (15th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Haiqing; Yu, Huaming; Ding, Yang; Wang, Lu; Kuang, Liang
• Is Part Of: Continental shelf research. Volume 109(2015)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2015-10-15
• Subjects: Taiwan Strait -- Tidal amplitude enhancement -- Tidal amplitude asymmetry -- Wave reflection -- Sharply deepened topography; Continental shelf -- Periodicals; Submarine geology -- Periodicals; 551.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2015.09.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4343

Abstract

Abstract: Enhanced M 2 tidal amplitude in the Taiwan Strait (TS) and asymmetric M 2 tidal amplitude in the cross-strait direction have been found and reproduced in numerical simulations. In this study, Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) is applied to investigate the mechanisms behind these features. Model results show that the linear interaction of waves from the East China Sea (ECS) and the Luzon Strait (LS) can explain the formation of the co-amplitude and co-phase lines of the M 2 tide in the nodal point area, while the waves from the ECS dominate the tidal motion in the TS according to a basic linear wave superposition. Model simulation also show that wave reflection and transition occur when the M 2 tidal waves from the ECS propagate through the TS and encounter an sharply deepened topography. The interaction of these induced reflection waves and the incident waves from the ECS is the main cause for the enhanced M 2 tidal amplitude in the TS. The distribution of the sharply deepened topography, rather than the Coriolis effect, is the main reason for the asymmetry of the M 2 tidal amplitude in the cross-strait direction in the TS. These findings provide some references for tidal dynamics in other areas, especially where long waves propagate through the shallow water to the deep sea. Highlights: The M 2 tidal amplitude in the Taiwan Strait was investigated based on FVCOM. Wave from the East China Sea dominate the tidal motion in the Taiwan Strait. Wave reflection theory can explain the M 2 tidal amplitude in the Taiwan Strait.