A numerical study of rain-induced surface gravity wave attenuation.
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Authors
Howell, David W.
Subjects
ocean waves
attenuation
vortex rings
attenuation
vortex rings
Advisors
Nystuen, Jeffrey A.
Date of Issue
1989-06
Date
June 1989
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Strong rain-induced mixing in a thin surface layer is numerically shown to greatly
increase surface gravity wave attenuation. This case study uses a single wavelength (2.8
m) together with two mixed layer depths (10 and 20 cm). The rain-induced mixing is
simulated by varying kinematic viscosity within the mixed layer from 10"* to 10"^ m- r*' ,
molecular to strong turbulent mixing, respectively. The results indicate that surface
gravity wave attenuation in the presence of a thin rain-induced mixed layer can increase
by a factor of up to 60U0 times the attenuation rate due to molecular viscosity alone.
This indicates that rain need only mix the top 10-20 cm surface layer to effectively
dampen short surface gravity waves.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
31 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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.