ISSN:
1432-0975
Keywords:
Key words Infragravity waves
;
Tides
;
Surface slopes
;
Caribbean
;
Wave set-up
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract A two-week study, at Tague Reef, St. Croix, USVI investigated the magnitude and spatial variation of tides, sea level differences, infragravity waves, and unidirectional cross-reef currents on a modern coral reef. Infragravity oscillations of water level (∼ 27 min period) of 1–2 cm height correlate with a quarter wavelength resonance over the shelf. Particle displacements associated with these waves may be important to the dispersive characteristics of the reef environment. Estimates of cross-reef mass transport per unit width ranged from 0.058 to 0.032 m2s -1. Sea level differences across the reef (1–4 cm) varied at diurnal and infragravity periods with contributions from wave set-up, and a small contribution from cross-shelf wind stress to the observed sea level differences. The quadratic bottom friction coefficient over the reef was estimated at 0.06–0.2, 20–70 times greater than on open shelves, reflecting the reef’s extreme bottom roughness.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003380050137
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