A Study of the Time-Dependent Wind-Driven Circulation in a Homogeneous, Rectangular Ocean

A theoretical investigation of the ocean circulation induced by zonal winds whose amplitude varies harmonically with time is presented. The analysis is based on a perturbation scheme with respect to a small parameter which is essentially the frequency of the wind variation and the solutions are derived by boundary layer methods. Results are obtained for the variation of the intensity of the currents and their phase lag behind the wind, as well as for the deviation of the free surface from its equilibrium position.