A numerical study of the circulation in Saltfjorden, Saltstraumen and
Skjerstadfjorden
Inge K. Eliassen, Yngve Heggelund and Magne Haakstad
Abstract
A three dimensional sigma-coordinate model has been implemented for
simulating the circulation in Saltfjorden, Saltstraumen and
Skjerstadfjorden.
The model is run with atmospheric forcing, 4 components of the tide
and river runoff.
The general circulation in Saltfjorden and Skjerstadfjorden and the
deepwater exchange through Saltstraumen are studied.
A simplified two point model is used for explaining tidal phenomena
seen in the three dimensional model.
Variations in air temperature and wind are shown to be a possible
explanation of observed fine scale structures in the temperature
profile above the thermocline in Skjerstadfjorden.
Keywords:
Coastal oceanography, Fjord dynamics, Tidal effects, Temperature anomalies,
Ocean model, Sigma coordinates, Saltfjorden, Skjerstadfjorden, Saltstraumen