The Atmospheric Surface Layer Response to Nonlinear Internal Ocean Waves
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Authors
Ortiz-Suslow, David G.
Kalogiros, John A.
Alappattu, Denny
Welch, Pat
Savelyev, Ivan B.
Paolo, Tony de
Wang, Qing
Yamaguchi, Ryan
Olson, Alex
Shearman, Robert Kipp
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2020-02-18
Date
Publisher
AGU
Language
Abstract
Nonlinear internal ocean waves (NIWs) are regular features of the coastal ocean, where the hydrodynamic flow over changing bathymetry perturbs the isopycnal surfaces generating these high frequency waves. At the air-sea interface, these transient features may be characterized by quasilinear bands of smooth or rough ocean surface that propagate in the direction of the underlying NIWs. Theoretically, this roughness heterogeneity is driven by the phase-locked divergence and convergence of the NIW orbital motions. This NIW action modulates surface wavelengths within the capillary and gravity-capillary band, which also hold the majority of the tangential wind stress. Understanding the spatial-temporal distribution of these small-scale surface waves is critical to constraining air-sea coupling, which is significantly complicated in the case of a heterogeneous surface. The impact NIW-driven surface roughness has on the variability and structure of the atmospheric surface layer is unknown. During a Coupled Air Sea Processes and EM ducting Research (CASPER) field campaign, the Research Platform FLIP was deployed for five weeks in a coastal area with a suite of near-surface oceanographic and meteorological measurements, as well as near-field remote sensing of the surface using both radar, infrared, and optical visualization. This confluence of measurement capability from an ideal platform, enabled us to simultaneously identify and track NIWs while characterizing the variance and structure of the kinematic and thermodynamic state on either side of the interface. NIWs were regularly observed from FLIP, with their characteristic surface banding observed nearly every day of the campaign. Our analysis into one case revealed that NIWs exert a distinct and significant impact on the mean wind gradient, as well as the air-sea momentum flux (i.e. wind stress) on both the scale of individual wave fronts and an entire NIW packet. In particular, the MASL flow adjusts instantaneously to the smooth-rough transitions of individual bands, thereby enhancing the wind stress over the surface. Our presentation will focus on summarizing these findings, as well as highlighting additional NIW events observed during the CASPER campaign from FLIP to discern any underlying or general pattern in the nature of NIW-atmosphere interactions.
Type
Abstract
Description
Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
2 p.
Citation
Ortiz-Suslow, David G., et al. "The Atmospheric Surface Layer Response to Nonlinear Internal Ocean Waves." Ocean Sciences Meeting 2020. AGU, 2020.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.