Measurement and Analysis of Surface Waves in A Strong Current

Measurements of surface waves in a strong adverse tidal current were obtained during the SEBEX experiment of 1982. The wave data were collected from a directional wave tracking buoy which followed the local currents. The data, which were collected as the buoy crossed a frontal zone, were analyzed in five consecutive segments following the local topography and the observed flow pattern. The spectral shapes changed, and the wave peak frequencies shifted from segment to segment. The results indicated strong transient wave phenomena due to wave-current interactions.