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Resonant diurnal internal tides in the North Atlantic
Author(s) -
Dushaw Brian D.,
Worcester Peter F.
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1029/98gl01583
Subject(s) - internal wave , geology , internal tide , latitude , diurnal temperature variation , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , oceanography , middle latitudes , continental shelf , climatology , geophysics , atmospheric sciences , geodesy , physics , quantum mechanics
Using a large acoustical array located midway between Puerto Rico and Bermuda, we have observed enhanced diurnal tidal signals associated with the lowest internal‐wave mode. These signals result from a diurnal internal wave resonantly trapped between the shelf just north of Puerto Rico and the turning latitude, a distance of about 1100 km. The data obtained using the large acoustical array are consistent with the predicted Airy‐function variation with latitude of diurnal internal waves near the turning latitude. The existence of this wave is a striking demonstration of the long spatial and temporal coherence of oceanic internal tides. In general, the energy radiated by such waves is a loss of energy from the earth‐moon system and a source of energy for mixing in the deep ocean.