A modal analysis of currents in a Pacific atoll lagoon
By: Burton T. Palmer
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 165
Description: The results of an initial quantitative study to define the physical oceanography of Johnston Atoll's lagoon circulation is presented. A bathymetric data base of the Island has been manually digitized from Navigational charts. A numerical model designed to predict the seiche modes of basins in two and three dimensions, in elliptic and Cartesian coordinates is developed, which seems to represent accurately the free modes of oscillation observed in current meter records. The numerical model is suitable for applications using a personal computer equipped with MATLAB (4.0) or later, and has applicability to basins of arbitrary shape in two dimensions, and rectangular, elliptical or circular symmetry in three dimensions. An analysis of currents within the lagoon at Johnston Atoll shows highly polarized tidal flow, phase locked to the diurnal tide. Spectral energy content of current meter records show six fundamental oscillatory modes and harmonics of tidal components.
Notes: Thesis advisor(s): Everett J. Carter.

"June 1994."

DTIC Descriptor(s): Atolls, Computer Programs, Ocean Models, Ocean Currents, Cartesian Coordinates, Charts, Circular, Circulation, Computers, Coordinates, Data Bases, Energy, Flow, Harmonics, Islands, Microcomputers, Oceanography, Oscillation, Phase, Records, Shape, Symmetry, Tides, Bathymetry, Predictions, Mathematical Models, Theses, Oceanographic Data

DTIC Identifier(s): Johnston Atoll, MATLAB Programming language

Thesis (M.S. in Physical Oceanography) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1994.

Bibliography: p. 77-78.

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

US Navy (USN) author.