Incoherent Nature of M2 Internal Tides at the Hawaiian Ridge

• DOI: 10.1175/jpo-d-10-05009.1
• Publication Date: 2011-05-06T21:29:57Z
• Authors: N. V. Zilberman; M. A. Merrifield; G. S. Carter; D. S. Luther; M. D. Levine; T. J. Boyd
• Keywords: Internal tide; Mooring; Barotropic fluid; Eddy; Crest; Stratification (seeds)

Abstract Moored current, temperature, and conductivity measurements are used to study the temporal variability of M2 internal tide generation above Kaena Ridge, between Hawaiian islands Oahu Kauai. The energy conversion from barotropic baroclinic measured near ridge crest varies by a factor 2 over 6-month mooring deployment (0.5–1.1 W m−2). flux just off undergoes similar modulation as conversion. largely because changes in phase perturbation pressure, suggesting variable work done on remotely generated tides. During deployment, low-frequency current stratification fluctuations occur ridge. Model simulations suggest that these variations due two mesoscale eddies passed through region. impact low-mode propagation is considered. It appears eddy-related perhaps cross-ridge speed contribute observed pressure hence