Rip‐current pulses tied to Lagrangian coherent structures
Loading...
Authors
Reniers, A.J.H.M.
MacMahan, J.H.
Beron-Vera, F.J.
Olascoaga, M.J.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2010-03
Date
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Language
Abstract
[1] The trapping and ejection of surfzone floating material is examined by unveiling Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) hidden in the pulsating rip‐current surface velocity field produced by a three‐dimensional numerical model resolving wave‐group induced Very Low Frequency motions (VLFs). LCSs explain the typically observed patchiness of flotsam within the surf zone and the streaky distribution outside of the surf zone. The ejection of surfzone material occurs when filament‐like LCSs separate form the main rip‐current circulation corresponding to a situation where eddies temporarily extend the rip current beyond the surf zone and subsequently detach. The LCSs support the idea that VLFs form the dominant exchange mechanism of surfzone floating material with the inner shelf.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2009GL041443
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
ONR N000140710556
National Science Foundation OCE 0754426
ONR N00014‐05‐1‐0154
N00014‐05‐1‐0352
N0001407WR20226
N0001408WR20006
National Science Foundation OCE 0728324
NSF CMG0417425
CMG0825547
National Science Foundation OCE 0754426
ONR N00014‐05‐1‐0154
N00014‐05‐1‐0352
N0001407WR20226
N0001408WR20006
National Science Foundation OCE 0728324
NSF CMG0417425
CMG0825547
Format
5 p.
Citation
Reniers, Ad JHM, et al. "Rip‐current pulses tied to Lagrangian coherent structures." Geophysical Research Letters 37.(2010): L05605.
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.