Trapped Edge Waves on the Northern Israeli Continental Shelf

Sea level observations had indicated existence of persistent low-frequency oscillations (wave period of order one hour) on the Israeli continental shelf. The study focused on the Northern Israeli continental shelf, the region which extends from Haifa promontory to Achziv Canyon, knowing that the dominant frequencies are consistent with suggested shelf resonance models (Webb 1958, Munk 1962). Using the baroclinic mode of SCHISM (The semi implicit cross-scale hydroscience integrated system modeling) we examine the response of the domain to incident waves of different periods. A process which approves resonant behavior and sheds more light on the normal modes which could not be comprehended by in-situ measurements. Two of the modes are confirmed through observations, while higher modes, though not measured, could be of greater significance in case of tsunami event. The source of energy for these oscillations is still being investigated. Correlations to tidal forcing and low pressure weather systems were not found. However wind oscillations caused by adjacent land topography is a valid option witnessed in other case studies. Such air-sea interaction would also be an interesting phenomena to confirm during validations of high resolution numerical weather models.