24th Pacific Science Congress (PSC-24)

The barotropic and baroclinic tides in the Ross Sea are simulated using a new coupled regional ocean-sea ice-ice shelf model, MITgcm, for nine tidal constituents, Mf, M2, S2, N2, K2, K1, O1, P1, and Q1. Diurnal tides are amplified along the continental slope, exhibiting three distinct peaks in tidal range, whereas semi-diurnal tides form rotary currents beneath the ice shelf that dominate the southeastern grounding line. Over the continental slope, strong barotropic tidal currents drive a rotational transport regime—modulated by topographic and geostrophic effects—which forms three eddy-like structures. These structures produce a distinct band-like pattern in tidal current intensity, a pattern also reflected in the spatial distribution of tidal energy dissipation. Furthermore, weak bottom-trapped internal tides are generated along the slope, with a trapping scale of several tens of kilometers.

Tides,Disspation,Topographic mode,Bottom trapped waves