Using CryoSat-2 to detect M2 internal tides in Arabian Sea

Jingyi Ma1, Daquan Guo1, Peng Zhan2 and Ibrahim Hoteit3, (1)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, (2)Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China, (3)Earth Sciences and Engineering Program, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract:
Internal tides play an important role in ocean mixing. To obtain the features of mode-1 M2 internal tides in the Arabian Sea, we analyzed their propagation and energy distribution using along-track data collected by Cryosat-2 satellite. Two main source regions of internal tides in Arabian Sea are identified: Kilmia Island, and the western India Peninsula, both of which are characterized by steep topography. The baroclinic signals originated from Kilmia propagate meridionally, while signals from the western India Peninsula spread southwestward. Significant seasonal and spatial variabilities are exhibited in the strength and energy flux of internal tides. The internal tides generated in winter are more energetic and can propagate further compared to that in summer, and their energy flux could exceed 12 Kw/m in magnitude.
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