http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/5093808

An investigation of hurricane-induced forerunner surge in the Gulf of Mexico

A system of coupled, normal mode equations describing a two-layer ocean basin of variable depth was derived form the quasi-hydrostatic equations of motion using a general form of the method of Veronis nad Stommel (1956). A finite difference, time marching, numerical model for the normal mode equations, employing and Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) scheme, on a space-staggered grid has been developed. The model is quasi-linear and allows for variable bathymetry and variable Coriolis parameter. The model domain includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Cayman Sea with a resolution of 15'. A no-flow condition is taken at all solid boundaries and the inverted barometer term is used to stipulate barotropic height anomalies on the open boundaries. Hurricanes Carla (1961) and Allen (1980) are used as historical storms to verify the model by comparing numerican and observed hydrographs. A parametric study utilizing three forward speeds, two radii to maximum winds, and five paths characterizing Gulf hurricanes is presented. The results of the study show that volume transports through Florida and Yucatan Straits consisted of in-phase (both in or both out) and out-of-phase components.

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