ISWs in shallow water

The existence of regular solibores at mooring C suggests that waves do propagate inshore of the 50 m isobath. As part of a different experiment an upward looking ADCP was located further inshore, at a depth of 20 m. Deployed for a long-term unattended operation, it averaged currents over a period of 15 minutes, making it impossible to detect any high frequency activity. However, it recorded strong mode one internal bores which correlate with the ones observed at C. This suggests that energy is propagated beyond the point where the pycnocline is at half depth (the depth at mooring D is only 20 m).

Incidentally,... something about the geology of the bottom near mooring C???.

The data collected in Massachusetts Bay raise several questions concerning the dynamics of ISWs. From the generating point of view probably the most puzzling feature is the spread observed in the number of SWs making up each individual solibore. Looking at the shoaling, we need to explain the existence of critical bores, as well as the overturning observed during the passage of regular trains. Also, of importance is to know how much energy propagates in the shallow coastal area inshore of the 40 m isobath. Also, the variability of the forcing conditions and background stratification must be clarified. What is necessary is a model to provide an unitarian framework, within which different combinations of stratification and forcing can be considered, comparing the output with the observed features.