Work

Observation of Typhoon Trami (2024)-induced energy cascade from near-inertial waves to diurnal internal tides

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Energy transfers among internal waves in the northern South China Sea are not well characterized, particularly during typhoons, owing to the lack of in situ observations. Based on high-resolution mooring data collected during Typhoon Trami (2024), this study reveals the occurrence of robust vertical energy redistribution among diurnal internal tides (D1 ITs) and near-inertial waves (NIWs). Strikingly, the typhoon not only amplified the NIW energy but also triggered an unexpected surge in the D1 IT energy. The observed average net energy transfer rate of 1 × 10 −7 W kg −1 from typhoon-forced NIWs to D1 ITs occurred at water depths of 120–170 m. Further bispectral analysis indicated that the energy transfer is driven by nonlinear wave–wave interaction. These results reveal the existence of a new energy transfer pathway—from atmospheric forcing to D1 Its—and redefine the redistribution of the internal wave energy during extreme weather events.

Source: Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.aosl.2025.100712