An analysis of the low frequency current fluctuations in the Strait of Georgia, from June 1984 until January 1985

Abstract

A description of the low frequency (approximately 10-30 days period) current fluctuations in the Strait of Georgia is presented. Velocity time series from four cyclesonde moorings and five current meter moorings, spanning the time interval from June 1984 until January 1985, are analyzed. Exphasis is placed on identifying the forcing mechanisms and determining the spatial structure of the low frequency flow. The nonlinear interaction of semidiurnal tidal constituents with bottom topography caused a near bottom, low frequency oscillation that was coherent over the span of the experimental array (approximately 11 km). The tides were important elsewhere in the water column too, and althogether directly accounted for 37% of the low frequency energy of the Strait. (from author's abstract)