Premium
Shear instabilities of wave‐driven alongshore currents
Author(s) -
Dodd Nick,
Iranzo Vicente,
Reniers Ad
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/1999rg000067
Subject(s) - instability , shear (geology) , mechanics , geology , geophysics , physics , classical mechanics , petrology
The present state of research into and understanding of shear waves is appraised. In this paper these motions, which result from an instability of an alongshore, wave‐driven current, are described, their theoretical explanation is recounted, and the history of their discovery is related. The various investigations into their genesis, which attempted to develop an understanding of when and why they occur, are summarized, and more recent research into their finite amplitude development is discussed, focusing on the understanding gained. Attention is also given to observations of shear waves made in the field and attempts to observe them in the laboratory. Finally, work that still needs to be done is described.