Bikini and nearby atolls, Marshall Islands; oceanography (physical) : Adjustment of Bikini atoll to ocean waves

TL;DRAbstract

Four and one-half months early in 1946 were spent in the field at Bikini and Rongelap Atolls to study the circulation systems within the lagoons. Later, in the laboratory, synoptic studies were made of kinimatically similar models based on early field data. The results of these studies were then tested against further observations made in the field. It was found that both lagoons exhibited a primary circulation (overturning winddriven circulation) and a secondary circulation (rotary circulation composed of two counter-rotating compartments). The direction of the primary circulation and the division between the counter-rotating compartments of the secondary circulation were always contained in a vertical plane having roughly the azimuth of the prevailing wind. The vigor of both circulations varied with the average wind strength taken over the previous 24 hours. Perturbations of the primary and secondary modes of circulation were produced by tides and waves and by the North Equatorial Cu

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