On the response of short ocean wave components at a fixed wavenumber to ocean current variations.

Abstract

Discussses the patterns in the degree of saturation of short wind generated waves that are produced by current variations in the presence of wind energy input and loss by breaking or by the formation of parasitic capillaries. Notes application to interpretation of patterns observed by synthetic aperture radar imagery. Examines action input and dissipation processes at short gravity wave scales and studies the influence of a background sea state on mean short wave properties. Formulates the dynamical balance equation in terms of the degree of saturation. The resulting equation involves two basic parameters one for the strength of the current field and one presenting the combined influence of the wind, the scale of the current field and, implicitly, breaking. Integrates numerically for various values of the parameter to examine behaviour of local convergences and divergences. (C.J.U.)