Tidal Oscillations of an Enclosed Rotating Fluid

Abstract

Observations of surface waves in a tilted rotating circular basin of paraboloidal bottom reveal quantitatively the limitations of the predictability of tides by linear inviscid analyses. Through nonlinear interactions of the oscillatory motions directly forced by the basic rotation ?, motions at a wide range of frequency are excited. These secondary oscillations are usually of insignificant amplitude. However, at resonant frequencies they are amplified and come to equilibrium with apparently the Reynolds strewn at sufficiently large amplitudes as to cause substantial distortions in the primary oscillation.