Record Details
Low frequency variations in the sea level and currents over the Oregon continental shelf
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Low frequency variations in the sea level and currents over the Oregon continental shelf |
| Names |
Cutchin, David L.
(creator) Caldwell, Douglas R. (advisor) Smith, Robert L. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1971-07-14 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1972 |
| Abstract | Sea level and current observations made over the Oregon continental shelf exhibit wavelike characteristics in a frequency band from approximately 0.15 to 0.45 cpd. In a narrow band around 0.22 cpd the current-sea level relationship is consistent with the predicted values for the first mode of Robinson's continental shelf waves. In addition, an interesting relationship exists between the form of the sea level-current coherency spectra and the arrangement of the maximum frequencies for the first three shelf wave modes. The currents were measured in 100 m of water about seven nautical miles off Depoe Bay, Oregon. Current meters were placed at 25, 50 and 75 m depth. The duration of the experiment was from 18 April 1968 until 11 September 1968. Due to some instrument failures a complete current data set for this period was not obtained. Simultaneous and continuous measurements of surface elevation and atmospheric pressure were also obtained at Newport, Oregon, a nearby coastal station. Shelf wave dispersion curves and eigenfunctions for the Oregon coastal profile are computed using a new numerical technique. These are compared with a low frequency (about 0.03 cpd to 0.75 cpd) spectral analysis of the current, sea level and atmospheric pressure records. The relative vertical uniformity of the currents, as a function of frequency, is examined. The longshore component of the current appears to be substantially more barotropic than the onshore-offshore component. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Continental shelf -- Oregon |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/28913 |
