Behavior and Energy of the M2 Internal Tide in the Madagascar–Mascarene Region
Internal tides serve as essential intermediate steps in the cascading of oceanic energy, playing a crucial role in oceanic mixing. M2 internal tides are the dominant tidal constituent in many oceanic regions, significantly influencing ocean dynamics. The Madagascar–Mascarene Region has high-energy i...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/22/4299 |
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| Summary: | Internal tides serve as essential intermediate steps in the cascading of oceanic energy, playing a crucial role in oceanic mixing. M2 internal tides are the dominant tidal constituent in many oceanic regions, significantly influencing ocean dynamics. The Madagascar–Mascarene Region has high-energy internal tides, but due to a lack of observational studies, their propagation remains underexplored and warrants further investigation. In this study, we used satellite altimetry data to capture the sea surface manifestation of the first-mode M2 internal tides in the region. The results show that the Mascarene Plateau plays a key role in shaping the region’s uneven internal tide distribution. The Mascarene Strait is the most intense generation area, with an east-west energy flux of 1.42 GW. Using the internal tidal energy concentration index, we decomposed the internal tidal beams, finding the primary beam oriented at 148°. These beams propagate outward for over 800 km, with a maximum distance exceeding 1000 km. Geostrophic currents intensify the northward refraction of westward-propagating internal tides in the Mascarene Basin, particularly between 15°S and 20°S. |
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| ISSN: | 2072-4292 |