Baroclinic Tides Simulation in the Red Sea: Comparison to Observations and Basic Characteristics. Issue 12 (26th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Daquan; Kartadikaria, Aditya; Zhan, Peng; Xie, Jieshuo; Li, Mingjie; Hoteit, Ibrahim
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 123:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 9389
• Page End: 9404
• Publication Date: 2018-12-26
• Subjects: numerical simulation -- baroclinic tides -- Red Sea -- three‐dimensional -- energetics -- basic characteristics; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1029/2018JC013970
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: The baroclinic tides in the Red Sea are simulated using a three‐dimensional, nonhydrostatic, high‐resolution Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. Various observations have been used to validate the simulation results. A good match between the model results and observations from five tidal gauges has been obtained. Tidal amplitude and phase data from 21 tidal stations present high correlation coefficients and low deviations with the model results. Comparisons between model and Oregon State University Tidal Inversion Software data suggest consistent results, with only small discrepancies at the locations of the amphidromic points. Tidal currents from four mooring observations are in good agreement with the simulation results, with discrepancies appearing in shallow areas and those with complex bottom topography. Based on the simulation results, the basic characteristics of baroclinic tides in the Red Sea are analyzed. The properties of barotropic tides, and distribution of the forcing function parameter, indicate that the baroclinic tides are generated mainly in four areas: the Bab‐el‐Mandeb (BAM) Strait, the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez, and the Strait of Tiran. This is confirmed by the spatial distributions of baroclinic tidal kinetic energy and energy flux. The properties of the conversion rate from barotropic tides to baroclinic tides, and the divergence of baroclinic energy flux, further reveal quantitatively that the southern Red Sea features the most of the generated baroclinic energy. The majority of the baroclinic energy disappears within the four areas, either dissipating due to friction and bottom drag or converting back to barotropic energy. Plain Language Summary: Baroclinic tides, as generated from the interaction between barotropic tides and bottom topography, are important for the coastal regions such as the Red Sea. We use high‐resolution numerical methods to simulate the baroclinic tides in the Red Sea. We compared the model results with several observations and found overall a good match between them. These data sets include sea level data and tidal parameters from tidal gauges, Oregon State University Tidal Inversion Software barotropic tidal model, and several mooring current data. Based on the model results, the general mechanism for the generation of baroclinic tides in the Red Sea can be inferred. As the energetic tides from the open ocean enter the Red Sea through the Strait of Bab‐el‐Mandeb, they propagate northward along the coast and then form different amphidromic systems. During this process, baroclinic tides generate mainly at four areas: the Bab al‐Mandeb Strait, the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez, and the Strait of Tiran. Key Points: This is the first attempt to simulate the baroclinic tides in the Red Sea as a whole system with a 3‐D and high‐resolution model Validated with various available observations, the simulation reveals four main energetic areas of barolinic tides