Visualization of the Tidal Flow in Sasebo and Oomura Bays

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kikukawa, H. | Segawa, M. | Kohno, J.

Affiliations: Department of Environmental and Information Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Shimoarata 4-50-20, Kagoshima 890-0056, Japan | Kagoshima Environmental Research and Service, Nanatsushima 1-1-5, Kagoshima 891-0132, Japan

Abstract: Sasebo and Oomura Bays situated in the northwest of Kyushu, Japan form a coupled bay linked by a channel. The tidal flow in and between these bays is visualized by the satellite images and the dispersion of Lagrangian particles is numerically studied. The satellite images are available to visualize the tidal flow at the mouth of Hario-seto from the maximum flood tide to the end of ebb tide at Tainoura. The seawater plume from the mouth of Hario-seto goes southeastward and then rotates anti-clockwise. The time of one rotation is about 6 to 7 periods. The plume extends about 10 km from the mouth of Hario-seto. Lagrangian particles in Sasebo Bay also flow into Oomura Bay through Haiki-seto.

Keywords: coupled bay, satellite image, Lagrangian particle, dispersion, plume, tidal flow

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 177-186, 2002