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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • large-amplitude lee waves

Index Terms

  • Exploration Geophysics: Seismic methods (3025, 7294)
  • Marine Geology and Geophysics: Marine seismics (0935, 7294)
  • Oceanography: Physical: Internal and inertial waves
  • Oceanography: Physical: Instruments and techniques

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 38, L21601, 5 PP., 2011
doi:10.1029/2011GL049157

Seismic reflection imaging of large-amplitude lee waves in the Caribbean Sea

Key Points
  • Seismic reflection imaging of large-amplitude lee waves
  • Our results show that it is possible to image these oceanic phenomena in full
  • Regions of observed lee waves contain spectral energy greater than Garrett-Munk

Dan Eakin

Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

W. S. Holbrook

Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Ilker Fer

Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

Results from the first testing of the R/V Marcus Langseth as a platform for collecting seismic reflection data from the water column of the ocean demonstrate that large-amplitude lee waves can be acoustically mapped. A seismic profile collected in the Caribbean Sea offshore Costa Rica shows disturbances in finestructure, which we interpret to be lee waves, propagating hundreds of meters vertically through the water column above seafloor ridges. Waves show vertical displacements of 30–50 m and horizontal wavelengths of 300–3000 m. Reflector displacement spectra calculated in the region containing the lee waves exceed Garrett-Munk energy levels by up to a factor of 10 at horizontal wavelengths of 300–3000 m, suggesting a locally derived source of internal wave energy consistent with our interpretation. Our results show that it is possible to image large-scale lee waves, a phenomenon potentially responsible for dissipation and mixing within the ocean.

Received 4 August 2011; accepted 23 September 2011; published 1 November 2011.

Citation: Eakin, D., W. S. Holbrook, and I. Fer (2011), Seismic reflection imaging of large-amplitude lee waves in the Caribbean Sea, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L21601, doi:10.1029/2011GL049157.

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