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Wave climate and trends along the eastern Chukchi Arctic Alaska coast

January 1, 2011

Due in large part to the difficulty of obtaining measurements in the Arctic, little is known about the wave climate along the coast of Arctic Alaska. In this study, numerical model simulations encompassing 40 years of wave hind-casts were used to assess mean and extreme wave conditions. Results indicate that the wave climate was strongly modulated by large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and that mean and extreme wave heights and periods exhibited increasing trends in both the sea and swell frequency bands over the time-period studied (1954–2004). Model simulations also indicate that the upward trend was not due to a decrease in the minimum icepack extent.

Publication Year 2011
Title Wave climate and trends along the eastern Chukchi Arctic Alaska coast
DOI 10.1061/41185(417)25
Authors L. H. Erikson, C. D. Storlazzi, R. E. Jensen
Publication Type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Index ID 70036296
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse