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Rip‐current pulses tied to Lagrangian coherent structures
Author(s) -
Reniers A. J. H. M.,
MacMahan J. H.,
BeronVera F. J.,
Olascoaga M. J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl041443
Subject(s) - surf zone , rip current , eddy , current (fluid) , lagrangian , physics , protein filament , mechanics , trapping , vortex , geology , meteorology , oceanography , turbulence , geography , mathematical physics , shore , genetics , biology , forestry
The trapping and ejection of surfzone floating material is examined by unveiling Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) hidden in the pulsating rip‐current surface velocity field produced by a three‐dimensional numerical model resolving wave‐group induced Very Low Frequency motions (VLFs). LCSs explain the typically observed patchiness of flotsam within the surf zone and the streaky distribution outside of the surf zone. The ejection of surfzone material occurs when filament‐like LCSs separate form the main rip‐current circulation corresponding to a situation where eddies temporarily extend the rip current beyond the surf zone and subsequently detach. The LCSs support the idea that VLFs form the dominant exchange mechanism of surfzone floating material with the inner shelf.