The characteristics of breaking waves, bubble clouds, and near-surface currents observed using side-scan sonar

摘要: An inverted 248 kHz two-component side-scan sonar mounted on the sea bed in a mean depth of 34 m has been used to detect clouds bubbles produced by breaking surface waves. The range about 150 m. waves appear sonograph records as short-lived intense echoes, and form patterns which can be explained terms behaviour groups highest are breaking. The bubble slightly elongated wave direction when they first formed and, winds 5.1 s−1, have lifetimes up 5 min. Soon after breaks, horizontal motion fluid becomes similar that surroundings, continue advected near-surface currents. rate drift along directions beams allows components currents measured. The sonographs show large changes occur over distances little 10 fronts passing. through water measured. measure induced internal Bands associated with Langmuir circulation detected strong or moderate accompanied heavy rain.