Observations of pockmark flow structure in Belfast Bay, Maine, Part 2: evidence for cavity flow

Geo-Marine Letters
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Abstract

Pockmark flow circulation patterns were investigated through current measurements along the rim and center of two pockmarks in Belfast Bay, Maine. Observed time-varying current profiles have a complex vertical and directional structure that rotates significantly with depth and is strongly dependent on the phase of the tide. Observations of the vertical profiles of horizontal velocities in relation to relative geometric parameters of the pockmark are consistent with circulation patterns described qualitatively by cavity flow models (Ashcroft and Zhang 2005). The time-mean behavior of the shear layer is typically used to characterize cavity flow, and was estimated using vorticity thickness to quantify the growth rate of the shear layer horizontally across the pockmark. Estimated positive vorticity thickness spreading rates are consistent with cavity flow predictions, and occur at largely different rates between the two pockmarks. Previously modeled flow (Brothers et al. 2011) and laboratory measurements (Pau et al. 2014) over pockmarks of similar geometry to those examined herein are also qualitatively consistent with cavity flow circulation, suggesting that cavity flow may be a good first-order flow model for pockmarks in general.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Observations of pockmark flow structure in Belfast Bay, Maine, Part 2: evidence for cavity flow
Series title Geo-Marine Letters
DOI 10.1007/s00367-016-0473-3
Volume 37
Issue 1
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 8 p.
First page 15
Last page 22
Country United States
State Maine
Other Geospatial Belfast Bay
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