The influence of shelf zone topography and coastline geometry on coastal trapped waves

The results of numerical experiments with a model of coastal trapped waves are presented to identify two important features for regional modeling of the interaction of a shelf zone with open ocean. First, a wave train of this type can be formed by wind action at a considerable distance from the place of impact. The waves propagate along a coastline without significant loss of energy, provided that the coastline and shelf zone topography have no features comparable to the Rossby radius. However, the waves lose energy while passing over capes and submarine canyons and when the shelf width decreases. For regional modeling, remote generation of waves must be thoroughly investigated and taken into account. The other feature is that the propagating waves can use part of energy to form density anomalies on the shelf by raising intermediate waters from the adjacent offshore areas of the open ocean. Thus, coastal trapped waves can carry wind energy from wind action areas to other coastal areas to form density anomalies and other types of motion.