Laboratory Studies of Langmuir Circulations

Abstract

Inst. Phys. Sci. & Technol., Univ. Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA J (Journal-Article) M (Marine) Laboratory studies of the interaction of crossed waves (on water) and a wind-induced shear are found to be in quite general agreement with the Craik-Leibovich (CL) theory of Langmuir circulation (LC's). The LC's develop rapidly, convect turbulent fluid to the bottom, and significantly modify the surface current by a vertical exchange of momentum. Reversal of the wind direction relative to the waves is found to reverse the sense of rotation of the LC's, a specific prediction of the CL theory Ocean Technology, Policy and Non Living Resources (Q2) 0472649 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Record 433 of 1156 - ASFA 1978-1987