The Time-Dependent Response of a Circular Basin of Variable Depth to a Wind Stress

Abstract

By solving an initial value problem, the time-dependent response of a large circular model lake to a steady wind stress has been investigated. Bottom stress has been neglected. The forced response has been divided naturally into a ?seiche? response and a quasi-geostrophic ?current? response; the former is composed of gravity and topographic waves, the latter topographic waves only. The forced quasi-geostrophic response, consisting of coastal jets and return flow, slowly rotates cyclonically around the basin. The model is compared with forced barotrapic response observed in Lake Ontario.