The boundary between the two water masses is initially vertical, but tilts and stretches with time due to effects of the density gradient and the strong currents. The eddies, which are generated in the frontal zone, are stretched by these processes, which increases their circulation intensity, while the corresponding vortex tilting transforms horizontal into vertical circulation. The location of the tidal fronts is marked by the arrows. This violent mixing may play a significant role in the modification and aeration of the water masses in Haro Strait and other locations where water masses are exchanged between semi-enclosed basins and the open ocean. 10m diameter formed at the Battleship Island front.
Gas bubbles are visible in the core of the eddy.
The resonator package for measuring bubble size distributions. The volume scaled bubble size distribution shows in comparison to open ocean measurements a peak which is shifted towards greater bubble sizes. The measurement of bubble size distributions can therefore provide useful information about the mechnisms which are important for the aeration of the water. Measurements of size distributions of gas bubbles in approx. J. of Atm.