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Low-Mode Near-Inertial Wave Generation.

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Title: Low-Mode Near-Inertial Wave Generation.
Authors: Stokes, Ian1 (AUTHOR) istokes@mit.edu, Kelly, Samuel2 (AUTHOR), Lucas, Andrew J.1,3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Physical Oceanography. Jan2026, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p135-149. 15p.
Subjects: Wave-current interaction, Ocean currents, Computer simulation, Air flow, Oceanography
Abstract: Near-inertial currents can be generated by abrupt shifts in wind. Some of these currents project onto low-mode near-inertial waves (NIWs), which can travel thousands of kilometers. Here, a reduced-physics model [the coupled-mode shallow water (CSW) model] is proposed with the goal of simulating global low-mode NIW generation and propagation. In this study, CSW performance is analyzed in an idealized setting based on the Ocean Storms Experiment (D'Asaro et al.). We show that NIW generation is analogous to internal-tide generation, except waves are excited by inertial pumping (convergences and divergences in inertial currents) rather than by barotropic flow over sloping topography. A theoretical solution for internal-tide generation (Llewellyn Smith and Young) predicts CSW NIW generation on an f plane. Numerical simulations on f and β planes confirm that NIWs are only generated when inertial pumping occurs along the inertia–gravity dispersion curve, as predicted by theory. Therefore, the frequency bandwidth of inertial pumping (due to the β effect or mesoscale vorticity) limits the generation of NIWs at very short wavelengths, even if inertial pumping occurs at small scales. We also show that weak damping associated with linearized bottom drag (or unresolved processes and imperfect numerical methods) can significantly alter the fraction of wind work that is radiated as NIWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Physical Oceanography is the property of American Meteorological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Label: Title
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  Data: Low-Mode Near-Inertial Wave Generation.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stokes%2C+Ian%22">Stokes, Ian</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> istokes@mit.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kelly%2C+Samuel%22">Kelly, Samuel</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucas%2C+Andrew+J%2E%22">Lucas, Andrew J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Physical+Oceanography%22">Journal of Physical Oceanography</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p135-149. 15p.
– Name: Subject
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Wave-current+interaction%22">Wave-current interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ocean+currents%22">Ocean currents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation%22">Computer simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Air+flow%22">Air flow</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Oceanography%22">Oceanography</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Near-inertial currents can be generated by abrupt shifts in wind. Some of these currents project onto low-mode near-inertial waves (NIWs), which can travel thousands of kilometers. Here, a reduced-physics model [the coupled-mode shallow water (CSW) model] is proposed with the goal of simulating global low-mode NIW generation and propagation. In this study, CSW performance is analyzed in an idealized setting based on the Ocean Storms Experiment (D'Asaro et al.). We show that NIW generation is analogous to internal-tide generation, except waves are excited by inertial pumping (convergences and divergences in inertial currents) rather than by barotropic flow over sloping topography. A theoretical solution for internal-tide generation (Llewellyn Smith and Young) predicts CSW NIW generation on an f plane. Numerical simulations on f and β planes confirm that NIWs are only generated when inertial pumping occurs along the inertia–gravity dispersion curve, as predicted by theory. Therefore, the frequency bandwidth of inertial pumping (due to the β effect or mesoscale vorticity) limits the generation of NIWs at very short wavelengths, even if inertial pumping occurs at small scales. We also show that weak damping associated with linearized bottom drag (or unresolved processes and imperfect numerical methods) can significantly alter the fraction of wind work that is radiated as NIWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Physical Oceanography is the property of American Meteorological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1175/JPO-D-25-0050.1
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 135
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Wave-current interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ocean currents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Air flow
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Oceanography
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Low-Mode Near-Inertial Wave Generation.
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            NameFull: Stokes, Ian
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            NameFull: Kelly, Samuel
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            NameFull: Lucas, Andrew J.
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Text: Jan2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: Journal of Physical Oceanography
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