Trapped tidal currents generate freely propagating internal waves at the Arctic continental slope

Abstract

Abstract Energetic tidal currents in the Arctic play an important role in local mixing processes, but they are primarily confined to the shelves and continental slopes due to topographic trapping north of their critical latitude. Recent studies employing idealized models have suggested that the emergence of higher harmonic tidal waves along these slopes could serve as a conduit for tidal energy transmission into the Arctic Basin. Here we provide observational support from an analysis of yearlong observations from three densely-instrumented oceanographic moorings spanning 30 km across the continental slope north of Svalbard ( $$\sim$$ ∼ 81.3 $$^{\circ }$$ ∘ N). Full-depth current records show strong barotropic diurnal tidal currents, dominated by the K $$_1$$ 1 constituent. These sub-inertial currents vary sub-seasonally and are strongest at the 700-m isobath due to the topographic trapping. Coinciding with the diurnal tide peak in summer 2019, we observe strong baroclinic semidiurnal currents exceeding 10 cm s $$^{-1}$$ - 1 between 500 m and 1000 m depth about 10 km further offshore at the outer mooring. In this semidiurnal band, we identify super-inertial K $$_2$$ 2 waves, and present evidence that their frequency, timing, polarization, propagation direction and depths are consistent with the generation as higher harmonics of the topographically trapped K $$_1$$ 1 tide at the continental slope.