The generation of continental shelf waves

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Abstract
Assuming zero divergence, the equations of forced long waves in a uniformly rotating, homogeneous ocean are reduced to a single partial differential equation for the stream function. A shelf of exponential slope between a rigid continent and a sea of uniform depth is taken as a model, and certain other assumptions are made which appear physically reasonable. Calculations made on the basis of this simplified theory are in good qualitative agreement with observations of shelf waves, indicating that these waves are generated by the stress of the longshore component of the geostrophic wind.

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