Observations of inertial‐period motions in the deep sea

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Abstract
Inertial‐period oscillations have been observed by numerous investigators at deep‐sea locations ranging from subtropical to polar latitudes. Although observational techniques have favored surface‐layer measurement, there is evidence for the existence of inertial motions at all depths. There is, however, no strong evidence that the amplitude of inertial motions is strongest near the surface. The character of inertial motions has been described more fully by recent observations with moored current meters. Inertial motions have a transient nature, with generation and decay times of a few days. An analysis of the data from a single simple experiment shows that the inertial motions are coherent horizontally over much greater scales than they are coherent vertically. Thus the picture that emerges is one of transient phenomena, of thin vertical extent, and of apparent possible occurrence anywhere in the oceans.