A NUMERICAL-MODEL FOR BAROTROPIC, NONDIVERGENT FLOW IN A STRAIT CONNECTING 2 OCEAN BASINS

Results are presented from a numerical model for barotropic, nondivergent flow in a region with the typical geometry and topography for a strait connecting two ocean basins. The study is motivated by questions concerning the transmission, or generation, of energy through, or in, Bass Strait. The numerical model is a spectral collocation method developed specifically to handle regions with steep and complex topography. Two basic problems are considered, these being the forcing of flow in the strait by a coastally-trapped wave incident at one side, and the forcing by wind stress in the strait, either stationary, or steadily propagating. For the first problem we find that the transmission of energy is enhanced when the boundary conditions allow an oscillatory flux in the strait, as opposed to the case when no such flux is permitted. Mode 2 is more readily transmitted than mode 1 but this is largely counterbalanced by its greater decay due to friction. For the second problem when the forcing is due to wind stress, coastally-trapped waves are generated on both sides of the strait as well as a substantial flow within the strait itself. © 1991, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.