The Effects of Wave-current Interactions on Coastal Circulation Modelling
Speaker: Prof. Xiao Hua WANG, Professor, The Sino-Australian Research Consortium for Coastal Management, School of Science, The University of New South Wales
Date: 02/12/2022 (Friday)
Time: 1:00 – 12:00
Language: English
Venue: N21-5/F Exhibition Hall (N21-5007)
Abstract:
Understanding the wave-current interactions (WCI) is crucial to accurate modelling of wave, tides and storm surge in the coastal oceans. In this talk, I will use case studies to show WCI can greatly modify sea level and wave height via tide-induced water level changes and current advection/refraction of wave energy. More specifically, model results show that WCI affects wave set-up in the surf zone due to a balance between cross-shore pressure gradient and wave radiations stress gradient. Furthermore, the water level is the dominant factor in significant wave height modulation when the wave propagates into shallower regions from the deeper ocean, whereas the current modulates the deep ocean wave height. Wave energy dissipation related to whitecapping processes plays a greater role in reducing the wave height nearshore than the dissipation due to depth-induced breaking and bottom friction.
Speaker’s Bio:
Professor Xiao Hua WANG is the Co-leader of the Sino-Australian Research Consortium for Coastal Management (SARCCM), University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, and an associate editor for Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science and Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, respectively. His research concerns observing (including satellite remote sensing) and modelling of coastal oceans, sediment transport dynamics, and understanding of coastal management issues impacted by anthropogenic drivers and climate change. Google Scholar consistently ranks him in top 15 researchers in ‘coastal oceanography’, ‘sediment dynamics’ and ‘coastal management’.
For enquiries: Tel: 8822 8183 or 8822 9141
Email: jingyang@um.edu.mo or shirleyfong@um.edu.mo