The generation of edge waves by moving pressure distributions

Abstract

An analytical study is made of the resurgent wave motion induced by pressure distributions moving parallel to a straight coast line. The resurgence is shown to consist of an infinite number of edge wave modes; expressions for these modes are given and the wavelengths, frequencies and amplitudes are shown to be in agreement with experimental results. The effects of a Gaussian pressure distribution are analysed. For large-scale disturbances off the east coast of the United States only the fundamental mode is excited. Conditions, such as storm size, speed and distance from shore, for maximum induced wave amplitudes are derived.