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Liu, A. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Liu, A. K..

A case study of wave-current interaction near an oceanic front

High resolution directional wave spectrum data were obtained from two NASA airborne radars during the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment in February 1986. The observations show a significant change in the wave number spectrum across the front. On the basis of surveys from a towed sensor and on satellite imagery, the front location and current field are estimated. A numerical model is developed for the wave-current interaction and is used to model the wave refraction across the frontal current. A parametric study is performed to demonstrate the effects of current meandering. The main consequence of meandering is the formation of caustics and shadow zone regions in which the wave energy is significantly enhanced or reduced. Spectral simulation along the aircraft track reveals a reduction of more that 60 percent in wave energy in the shadow zone; this is consistent with the observations.

Liu, A. K.

Wave evolution in the marginal ice zone - Model predictions and comparisons with on-site and remote data

The ocean-wave dispersion relation and viscous attenuation by a sea ice cover were studied for waves in the marginal ice zone (MIZ). The Labrador ice margin experiment (Limex), conducted off the east coast of Newfoundland, Canada in March 1987, provided aircraft SAR, wave buoy, and ice property data. Based on the wave number spectrum from SAR data, the concurrent wave frequency spectrum from ocean buoy data, and accelerometer data on the ice during Limex '87, the dispersion relation has been derived and compared with the model. Accelerometers were deployed at the ice edge and into the ice pack. Data from the accelerometers were used to estimate wave energy attenuation rates and compared with the model. The model-data comparisons are reasonably good for the ice conditions observed during Limex' 87.

Liu, A. K.

Wave/current interaction model

The wave-current interaction for the application to remote sensing data via numerical simulations and data comparison is modelled. Using the field data of surface current shear, wind condition and ambient wave spectrum, the numerical simulations of directional wave spectrum evolution were used to interpret and to compare with the aircraft data from Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS) and Surface Contour Radar (SCR) across the front during Frontal Air Sea Interaction Experiment (FASINEX). The wave-ice interaction was inspired by the observation of large amplitude waves hundreds of kms inside the ice pack in the Weddell Sea, resulting in breakup of the ice pack. The developed analysis of processes includes the refraction of waves at the pack edge, the effects of pack compression on wave propagation, wave train stability and buckling stability in the ice pack. Sources of pack compression and interaction between wave momentum and pack compression are investigated. Viscous camping of propagating waves in the marginal ice zone are also studied. The analysis suggests an explanation for the change in wave dispersion observed from the ship and the sequence of processes that cause ice pack breakup, pressure ridge formation and the formation of open bands of water.

Liu, A. K.

ROWS observations of directional wave spectra in Fasinex

Data acquired by the NASA Ku-band Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS) during NASA P-3 flights in Fasinex (the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment) on February 21 and 26, 1986 are analyzed. The ROWS technique consists of measuring the directional reflectivity spectrum of the sea surface via a combination of range and azimuth scattering. The nondirectional height-frequency spectrum corresponding to the directional wave spectrum for February 26 is presented.

Jackson, F. C.