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Determining the Currents Over Phelps Bank

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Abstract

The M2 tidal currents over Phelps Bank are examined using a fully nonlinear model. Simulations with resolutions of 2’ × 2’ and 0.5’ × 0.5’ were made of the full area covering Nantucket Shoals south of Cape Cod. A fine resolution model (0.125’ × 0.125’) was also run over a limited area surrounding Phelps Bank. Agreement was good in amplitude and phase when compared to surface elevation data. The agreement with current meter data was fair in amplitude and poor in phase with the exception that agreement was good at the one Phelps Bank mooring when compared with models of the full area. The limited area model showed signs of instability that were damped out with a horizontal eddy viscosity. Agreement of this model with data from the one available current meter mooring was worse. Different options are available to go from model predictions to the currents necessary for calibration of microwave data obtained over Phelps Bank.

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© 1989 Government of Canada

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Greenberg, D.A., Valenzuela, G.R., Chen, D.T. (1989). Determining the Currents Over Phelps Bank. In: Komen, G.J., Oost, W.A. (eds) Radar Scattering from Modulated Wind Waves. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2309-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2309-6_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7537-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2309-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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