Influences of tidal and slower (subtidal) oceanic flows over the continental shelf and slope off Oregon are studied using a high-resolution ocean circulation model and comparative model-data analyses. The model is based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), a fully nonlinear, three-dimensional model (using hydrostatic and Boussinesq approximations). The model horizontal resolution is 1 km. The study period is summer 2002.
Variability in the semi-diurnal internal (three-dimensional, baroclinic) tidalflows is influenced by the background conditions associated with coastal wind-drivensummer currents. Our analyses reveal areas of intensified semidiurnal tide on theOregon slope and the shelf and how these vary with change in the backgroundconditions. Hot spots of barotopic-to-baroclinic energy conversion found on the slopeoccupy 1% of the slope area produce about 20% of the internal tide energy. At theselocations, generation is well balanced by radiation of the internal tide energy awayfrom the generation location.
Available online from the National Sea Grant Library.