The effects of wind forcing on coastal ocean circulation are studied using a
numerical modeling approach. The first region of interest is on the North Carolina
shelf, where the Coastal Ocean Processes (CoOP) Inner Shelf Study (ISS) took place
during August - November 1994. ISS observations are used to initialize,...
By implementing a series of mass-conserving nested high-resolution models down to approximately 1 km resolution that have realistic bathymetry, coastline, wind forcing and river run-off, the winter 1996-1997 shelf flow near Cape Mendocino, California, is simulated and compared with available observations from the Strata Formation on Margins (STRATAFORM) marine geology...
The mesoscale circulation in the Gulf of California is investigated using a numerical model (Princeton Ocean Model). Forced by satellite-derived winds, the circulation in the gulf shows a complex pattern dominated in the southern gulf by multiple eddies. Near the coast and in most of the north gulf, the circulation...
The response on the continental shelf of a baroclinic ocean to
driving by an alongshore coastal wind stress and by barotropic and
baroclinic wind forced interior motions is studied as a function of
latitude. The relative excitation of continental shelf waves and
internal Kelvin waves is studied.
The response of...
Swash zone processes are of significant importance to foreshore morphologic change. This thesis addresses the importance of the uprush and backwash fluid motions and flow duration effects to the resulting sediment transport. The analysis relates the field observations to well known sediment transport formulations as well as investigates the importance...
Diking and channelizing in the Toppenish Creek basin, associated with irrigated agricultural development, has altered its natural ecosystem function and hydraulic processes. We seek to answer two research questions: if surface waters are diverted for aquifer recharge in the winter, will this water be available for ecosystem function in the...
