WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTION IN THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN USING SATELLITE ALTIMETER DATA

Abstract

Wave-current interaction was investigated when the waves traveled through ocean current in the Kuroshio region using satellite altimeter data. The SWH (significant wave height) decreased when the wave propagated in the same direction as current, while the SWH increased when the wave traveled in the opposite direction to the current. The swell-ray model was applied to investigate the modification of SWH according to the wave advection and refraction effect. The wave refraction clearly presented in the current. The convergence (divergence) of the swell-ray was found in the area where the positive (negative) peak was observed in the strong current region.