Long waves on a rotating earth in the presence of a semi-infinite barrier

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In this paper the problem is considered of long gravity waves approaching a semi-infinite barrier which extends parallel to the wave crests, the whole system being in rotation. It is well known that, when the rotation is zero, there is a ‘shadow region’ behind the barrier in which the disturbance diminishes rapidly with distance from the edge. However, it is shown that the rotation gives rise to an additional wave in the shadow region. The crests of this wave are at right-angles to the incident wave, and it travels along the barrier without attenuation in that direction. The amplitude falls off exponentially with distance from the barrier, as in a Kelvin wave. The amplitude at the barrier may exceed that of the incident waves.The problem arises in connexion with the propagation of tides and storm surges in the ocean.

This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit: