AME Seminar

Speaker: Geno Pawlak, UCSD

Talk Title: The Coastal Ocean Boundary Layer: Cross-shore structure, bottom roughness and trapped baroclinic waves

Abstract: In this talk I will describe analysis of the cross shore structure of the coastal ocean boundary layer using velocity measurements from an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) along with time series observations of the alongshore pressure gradient.  Ensemble phase averages of the alongshore pressure gradient and velocities from multiple AUV surveys reveal characteristics akin to the Stokes oscillating boundary layer, with the nearshore flow leading the offshore flow in phase and with a corresponding velocity attenuation at shallower depths. Analysis of the alongshore momentum balance allows estimation of the drag coefficient as a function of cross shore distance which compares favorably with roughness from LIDAR and AUV based mapping. Roughness data suggest that larger scales, with wavelengths comparable to the total depth, play a more significant role than smaller meter scale roughness in determining the drag on the tidal flow.  I will also present observations that highlight the role of coastal trapped baroclinic waves in driving barotropic tidal flow on the inner shelf.

Biography: Before joining the Jacobs School of Engineering, Pawlak served as an associate professor in the Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Pawlak is a UC San Diego alumnus, having earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences (now mechanical and aerospace engineering) here in 1997.

Host: AME Department

More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98121141178?pwd=VGEyaXVWYnRaazFYWUVhbVAycGVWQT09 Meeting ID: 981 2114 1178 Passcode: NhXrDOqQU8

Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 202

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98121141178?pwd=VGEyaXVWYnRaazFYWUVhbVAycGVWQT09 Meeting ID: 981 2114 1178 Passcode: NhXrDOqQU8

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Tessa Yao

Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/