EFFECTS OF CONFIGURATION AND BATHYMETRY OF THE OCEANS ON THE TIDAL DISSIPATION OF THE EARTH'S ROTATION

Abstract

We investigate effects of the configuration and the bathymetry of the oceans on the tidal dissipation of the Earth's rotation. Discrete tidal equations with linear dissipation terms are solved for M₂ ocean tide using present oceans and a Permian ocean. Model properties are also examined through simulation studies by changing parameters related with the bottom friction and the eddy viscosity. These studies show that M₂ ocean tide explains for the most part the tidal dissipation of Earth's rotation and it seems that there is a tendency that the tidal dissipation was slightly smaller in the Permian era than in the present age.