Open AccessNonbreaking waves cause near‐surface turbulence
Author(s) -
Schultz Colin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2012eo360013
Subject(s) - turbulence , downwelling , eddy , breaking wave , physics , mechanics , vortex , surface wave , wave turbulence , wind wave , mixing (physics) , meteorology , geology , wave propagation , optics , oceanography , upwelling , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
Surface ocean turbulence is predominantly generated by two forces: near‐surface winds and breaking waves. Where waves crash, strong downwelling can induce mixing of the upper few dozen meters, while winds establish larger turbulent vortices. A third known mechanism exists for generating near‐surface turbulence, the propagation of nonbreaking surface waves. However, it is typically overlooked as being too minute to matter. Recent research has suggested that nonbreaking waves may be a more important mechanism than previously thought. Using a laboratory wave tank and a numerical turbulence model, Savelyev et al. found that propagating nonbreaking waves not only can induce near‐surface eddies but also can modulate and feed into existing turbulent dynamics.