Abstract
Tidally induced residual currents generated over shelf-slope topography are investigated analytically and numerically using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. Observational support for the presence of such a slope current was recorded over the Malin Sea continental slope during the 88-th cruise of the RRS “James Cook” in July 2013. A simple analytical formula developed here in the framework of time-averaged shallow water equations has been validated against a fully nonlinear nonhydrostatic numerical solution. A good agreement between analytical and numerical solutions is found for a wide range of input parameters of the tidal flow and bottom topography. In application to the Malin Shelf area both the numerical model and analytical solution predicted a northward moving current confined to the slope with its core located above the 400 m isobath and with vertically averaged maximum velocities up to 8 cm s−1, which is consistent with the in-situ data recorded at three moorings and along cross-slope transects.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 21-34 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Continental Shelf Research |
Volume | 139 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2017 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oceanography
- Aquatic Science
- Geology
Keywords
- Malin shelf
- Slope currents
- Tides