Tidal Resonance in Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia

Abstract

The resonant period and quality factor Q are determined for the semienclosed sea comprising Juan de Fuca Strait, Puget Sound, and the Strait of Georgia. The observed tidal elevation gain and phase change, from the Pacific Ocean to this inland sea, are fitted to the predictions of simple analytic models, which give a resonant period of 17?21 h and a Q of about 2. The low Q value, indicative of a highly dissipative system, is consistent with the need for numerical models for the area to employ large bottom friction coefficients. These include the effects of form drag.