Variability of surface gravity wave field over a realistic cyclonic eddy

Abstract. Recent remote sensing measurements and numerical studies have shown that surface gravity waves interact strongly with small-scale open ocean currents. Through these interactions, the significant wave height, frequency, direction are modified. In present paper, we investigate interactions of a large isolated realistic cyclonic eddy. This eddy is subject to instabilities, leading generation specific features at both mesoscale submesoscale ranges. We use WAVEWATCH III framework force in before after its destabilization. simulations source terms deactivated, initialized different intrinsic frequencies. The study illustrates how respond numerous kinds instabilities from few hundred tens kilometres. Our findings show spatial variability direction, mean period, height very sensitive presence structures resulting frequency incident key change current-induced refraction location, boundary where generated, maximum values height. However, for given current forcing, similar regardless waves. this idealized it has been gradients parameters sharper forced destabilized Because signature currents on encodes important information currents, our suggest vertical vorticity could be statistically estimated down fine scale. Furthermore, paper shows necessity include parametric models sea-state bias; using coarse-resolution field may severely underestimate sea-state-induced noise radar altimeter measurements.