Internal tides observed by an acoustic Doppler current profiler

Abstract

Previous studies of Knight Inlet, British Columbia, revealed the presence of a strong internal M2 tide. During June and July 1989, an intense acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) sampling of the inlet was conducted. These results are used to show the existence of a strong semidiurnal flow in the baroclinic field. The authors propose that the horizontal phase information inherent in the spatial sampling by the ADCP can be used to resolve the distribution of energy between dynamic modes. The authors arrive at net energy fluxes of 0.44 × 106 W toward the mouth of the inlet at Protection Point and 1.17 × 106 W toward the head of the inlet at Tomakstum Island. -from Authors