Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-27gpq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T14:41:25.716Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Tides of the Ross Sea and Ross Ice Shelf cavity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2003

LAURENCE PADMAN
Affiliation:
Earth & Space Research, 1910 Fairview Ave E, Suite 102, Seattle, WA 98102-3620, USA
SVETLANA EROFEEVA
Affiliation:
College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Ocean Administration Building 104, Corvallis, OR 97331-5503, USA
IAN JOUGHIN
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 300-235, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA

Abstract

Two new ocean tide models for the Ross Sea including the ocean cavity under the Ross Ice Shelf, are described. The optimum model for predicting ice shelf surface height variability is based on assimilation of gravimetry-derived tidal constituents from the Ross Ice Shelf. Synthetic aperture radar interferograms provide an independent test of model performance. The standard deviation of tide height variability is largest under the eastern ice shelf along the Shirase and Siple Coasts, where it can exceed 0.8 m. The maximum peak-to-peak tidal range in this region is ∼3 m. The best predictor for ocean tidal currents north of the ice front is a dynamics-based model that solves the depth-integrated shallow water equations with a linear representation of benthic friction rather than the more usual quadratic form. Tidal currents over the open Ross Sea are dominated by diurnal, topographically trapped vorticity waves. The strongest modelled currents exceed 1 m s−1 at spring tide in a narrow band along the upper continental slope in the north-western Ross Sea. Typical tidal currents in the central continental shelf area of the Ross Sea are 10–20 cm s−1. Under the ice shelf the typical currents are ∼5 cm s−1.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)