Multi-Sensor Observations Reveal Large-Amplitude Nonlinear Internal Waves in the Kara Gates, Arctic Ocean

Abstract

We present multi-sensor measurements from satellites, unmanned aerial vehicle, marine radar, thermal profilers, and repeated conductivity–temperature–depth casts made in the Kara Gates strait connecting the Barents and the Kara Seas during spring tide in August 2021. Analysis of the field data during an 18-h period from four stations provides evidence that a complex sill in the Kara Gates is the site of regular production of intense large-amplitude nonlinear internal waves. Satellite data show a presence of a relatively warm northeastward surface current from the Barents Sea toward the Kara Sea attaining 0.8–0.9 m/s. Triangle-shaped measurements using three thermal profilers revealed pronounced vertical thermocline oscillations up to 40 m associated with propagation of short-period nonlinear internal waves of depression generated by stratified flow passing a system of shallow sills in the strait. The most intense waves were recorded during the ebb tide slackening and reversal when the background flow was predominantly supercritical. Observed internal waves had wavelengths of ~100 m and traveled northeastward with phase speeds of 0.8–0.9 m/s. The total internal wave energy per unit crest length for the largest waves was estimated to be equal to 1.0–1.8 MJ/m.

Keywords

• nonlinear internal waves
• large-amplitude waves
• tidal currents
• spring tide
• tide–topography interactions
• thermal profilers