Satellite Investigation of Semidiurnal Internal Tides in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas

The mode-1 semidiurnal internal tides that emanate from multiple sources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas are investigated using multi-satellite altimeter data 1993–2020. A practical plane-wave analysis method is used to separately extract coherent tides, with nontidal noise tide field further removed by a two-dimensional (2-D) spatial band-pass filter. complex radiation pathways and interference patterns of revealed, showing contrast between Sulu Sea Sulawesi Sea. effectively generated both Sangihe Island chains, forming spatially inhomogeneous pattern deep basin. cylindrical tidal wave Sibutu passage confirmed for first time, which modulates pattern. can be reproduced line source model. weak reflected beam off slope revealed. In contrast, chain sole energetic Sea, thus featuring relatively consistent energy flux These beams contribute frequent occurrence solitary waves (ISWs) study area. On basis 28-year satellite measurements, northward 0.46 GW, about 25% southward flux. For M2, altimetric estimated fluxes 80% those numerical simulations. total chains into 2.7 GW.