Author(s)

Carlos R. Torres-Navarrete

National Oceanographic Data Center, Institute for Oceanological Research, Autonomous University of Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico.

A series of numerical experiments from a barotropic configuration of the General Curvilinear Ocean Model (GCOM) was conducted to analyze the response to infragravity (IG) waves of the Port of Ensenada, located within Bahia de Todos Santos (BTS), west coast of Mexico. Experiments with forcing frequencies f = 50?1 min?1, f = 30?1 min?1, f = 25?1 min?1 and f = 16.66?1 min?1 showed the expected increase of energy at the corresponding forcing frequency band and also the appearance of secondary peaks of energy at frequency bands f = 8.33?1 min?1 and f = 4.16?1 min?1 which were identified as modes f₁ and f₂; being the band at f = 16.66?1 min?1 the zeroth f₀ mode. Maximum peak of spectral energy from the numerical experiments was found at frequency band f₀ = 16.66?1 min?1 which agreed with the estimated maximum value of the amplification factor and with the T₀ mode of oscillation of the port. Distribution of amplitudes inside PE for modes f₀, f₁ and f₂ were also presented. Mode f₀ represents a quarter-wave oscillation with amplitudes of the same sign; mode f₁ has two nodal lines and mode f₂ presents and additional one. Corresponding harbor currents were also calculated, they were in the range 20 - 160 cm?s?1. Finally, in order to elucidate the source of the external signals found in the spectral analysis of this study, the natural oscillation modes of the BTS were estimated. Although more studies are needed, BTS oscillation mode T₂ = 16.82 min, was identified as the external forcing that excites larger oscillations within the port.

Harbor Oscillations, Port of Ensenada, Mexico, Boundary-Fitted Grids, Curvilinear Coordinates

Torres-Navarrete, C. (2016) Numerical Characterization of Harbor Oscillations in the Port of Ensenada, Mexico. Open Journal of Marine Science, 6, 395-404. doi: 10.4236/ojms.2016.63033.