Measurements of a saturated range in ocean wave spectra

Journal Article · Sun Sep 20 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC086iC09p08075· OSTI ID:5673143

Forristall, G Z

Wavestaff measurements made in the Gulf of Mexico and Waverider measurements from the Baltimore Canyon area have been used to study the form of ocean wave spectra at high frequencies. The observations are statistically consistent with the idea that the tail of the spectrum is in equilibrium with the local wind. Analysis showed that the spectral range between the mean wave frequency and about two and one half times that frequency is consistently proportional to the inverse of the fourth power of the frequency. At higher frequencies, the classical inverse fifth power law seems to hold. In the inverse fourth power range, the amplitude of the spectrum is also proportional to the wind friction velocity. These relationships should permit a reliable specification of this saturated range when only local wind observations are available. If the significant wave height and mean period are known, the amplitude of the tail of the spectrum can be predicted with somewhat greater accuracy. However, this relationship should be used with caution when the height and period statistics are influenced by swell.

• Research Organization: Shell Development Co., Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 5673143
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 86:C9; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580500* -- Oceanography-- (1980-1989)
AMPLITUDES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
FUNCTIONS
GULF OF MEXICO
NOISE
SEAS
SPECTRAL FUNCTIONS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER WAVES
WAVELENGTHS
WIND