Barotropic oscillations of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas

• Published in: Tellus. Series A, Dynamic meteorology and oceanography Dynamic meteorology and oceanography, 1983-10, Vol.35A (5), p.417-427
• Main Authors: Schwab, D. J., Rao, D. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dynamics of the ocean (upper and deep oceans); Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Meteorology And Climatology; Physics of the oceans
• ISSN: 0280-6495; 1600-0870
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1983.tb00216.x

Calculations of the periods and structures of several of the lowest barotropic free modes of oscillation of the combined Mediterranean-Adriatic Basin are presented which take into account basin morphometry, bottom topography and the earth's rotation. The numerical calculations, based on a Galerkin procedure developed by Rao and Schwab (1976), were first carried out to find the normal modes of the combined Mediterranean-Adriatic system at a resolution of 1 deg on a Mercator projection, and used to determine the mouth of the Adriatic, which was then examined on a finer grid without rotation. Comparison of the periods of the lowest gravitational modes of the Mediterranean Sea under different conditions show the most significant effect to be due to variable basin topography. Periods of 38.5, 11.4, 8.4 and 7.4 h are computed for the lowest modes of the Mediterranean Sea, while periods of 21.9, 10.7 and 6.7 h are computed for the Adriatic, in agreement with observed periods.