VARIABILITY OF LONGSHORE CURRENTS
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Keywords

longshore current
current
current variability

How to Cite

Guza, R., & Thornton, E. (1978). VARIABILITY OF LONGSHORE CURRENTS. Coastal Engineering Proceedings, 1(16), 43. https://doi.org/10.9753/icce.v16.43

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements were made of the offshore directional spectra of gravity waves, and longshore currents within the surf zone. The goal was to test theories which suggest a direct relationship between mean longshore currents (V) in the surf zone and offshore values of the off axis component of radiation stress (S ). Seventeen minute - xv averages of both S and V showed considerable temporal xv variation, and little or no tendency to vary together. There was also considerable longshore spatial variability of the 1ongshore"current. Attempts to measure gradients of S in the surf zone failed because of small errors in instrument orientation. The measurements suggest that considerable temporal and spatial averaging will generally be required to obtain a representative picture of longshore currents, even if no rip currents are present, due to the presence of "eddy" motions or long edge waves.
https://doi.org/10.9753/icce.v16.43
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