On the Interaction of Time-Variable Flows with a Shelfbreak Canyon

Abstract

Process-oriented hydrodynamic modeling is employed to study the interaction of along-slope flows with an idealized submarine shelfbreak canyon. The model is forced via prescription of oscillatory flows superposed on steady background flows of various strength and direction. Findings suggest that purely oscillatory flow does not produce significant net onshore transport of dense water. It is rather the steady component of the flow that creates substantial up-canyon flows of ?0.05 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s?1) in volume transport. This takes place exclusively for flows running on average against the propagation direction of coastal Kelvin waves, whereas flows of the opposite direction operate to suppress cross-shelf density fluxes.