Bass Strait as a reverse estuary source for coastally trapped waves

Abstract

The water in Bass Strait is often denser than the surrounding Tasman Sea water, especially in winter. This phenomenon is modelled numerically as a Rossby adjustment problem. Coastally trapped waves are generated when dense Bass Strait water flows over deepening bottom topography, through the joint effect of baroclinicity and relief (JEBAR). A narrow northward flowing stream is also observed at the shelf edge. These results are compared with field observations and the Austraian Coastal Experiment. The flow at the eastern mouth of Bass Strait is also described briefly.