Moored Measurements to capture generation, evolution and structure of NLIWs – J. Nash OSU Objectives:  Define generation mechanisms  Assess predictability  Compute conversion efficiencies Shelfbreak moorings capture: high-frequency internal (M2, near-f) and BT mesoscale

Predictability? Waves occur at all phases of the tide… More intense & numerous during neap tides?  variable generation location & mechanism  variable wave speed & direction? Catalog of waves assessd from SW37 (70 m) ADCP w & ζ

Eastward velocity at shelfbreak M2 Near-f

Shelfbreak velocity:  M2  Near-inertial  Mesoscale Both near-f and M2 velocity variance are greater offshore of shelfbreak Strong horizontal gradients

Consider an example… Wave Wyatt SW37 Bottom Lander velocity and wave-induced pressure validation (Moum & Nash – submitted JPO) U [m/s] W [m/s] P bottom [Pa]

Wave Wyatt (22-Aug) Wave Tracking (Moum et al, OSU Ocean Mixing) provides context for moorings: orientation, speed detailed vertical structure energy, energy flux & dissipation evolution, modal conversion, etc. Emily Shroyer (OSU)

This is Wyatt

Generation Diagnostics – still Wyatt energy flux (linear contribution) U and ρ

There’s much more than surface-trapped NLIWs…

Shelfbreak Energetics: Quantify wave climate energy sources/ conversion spectrally (i.e., statistically) Identify origin of named waves (i.e., deterministically) Assess formation predictability Not just waves of depression   Wave propagation: Assessing wave properties from under-resolved moorings Potential Co-conspirators: Duda, Gawarkiewicz, Glenn, Graber, Henyey, Lynch, Moum, Scotti, Shearman, Shroyer, Wilkin… Current Directions