Title: Numerical simulations of tidal and wind-driven circulation in the Cretaceous Interior Seaway of North America
Abstract: Research Article| November 01, 1990 Numerical simulations of tidal and wind-driven circulation in the Cretaceous Interior Seaway of North America MARC C. ERICKSEN; MARC C. ERICKSEN 1Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RUDY SLINGERLAND RUDY SLINGERLAND 1Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information MARC C. ERICKSEN 1Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 RUDY SLINGERLAND 1Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1990) 102 (11): 1499–1516. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1990)102<1499:NSOTAW>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation MARC C. ERICKSEN, RUDY SLINGERLAND; Numerical simulations of tidal and wind-driven circulation in the Cretaceous Interior Seaway of North America. GSA Bulletin 1990;; 102 (11): 1499–1516. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1990)102<1499:NSOTAW>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Twenty-two numerical experiments using a multi-layer, numerical model of turbulent flow in shallow seas better define fluid circulation and sediment transport paths in the Cretaceous Interior Seaway of North America. Each experiment consists of a different combination of paleogeography, paleobathymetry, Coriolis acceleration, boundary tidal amplitudes, wind stresses, and bed friction. The paleogeographies and paleobathymetries represent three seaway configurations: a seaway of intermediate size and depth (200 m) during a transgressive peak (T5) in late Albian time; a seaway of maximum size and depth (400 m) during peak transgression (T6) in early Turonian time; and a seaway of minimum size and depth (100 m) during a peak regression (R8) in the Campanian. Values for the other key model parameters are: M2 co-oscillating boundary tides of 0.1 to 0.2 m range at the Arctic Ocean boundary and 0.5 to 1 m range at the proto-Gulf of Mexico boundary; Coriolis accelerations corresponding to 30°N, 45°N, and 60°N latitude; Chezy friction factors ranging from 31 to 70 m½ s-1; and average winter winds and two winter storms computed by the community climate model at the National Center for Atmospheric Research for paleogeographic conditions during the late Albian. Results of the numerical experiments, and comparison of these results with geologic observations, allow the following conclusions. (1) Circulation in the seaway was generally storm-dominated. (2) Typical winter storms crossing the seaway from west to east generated 0.3 m s-1 shore-parallel, geostrophic currents on the shelves north of Arizona, at first flowing weakly to the north, but later during the storm, flowing strongly to the south. (3) Extreme storms could have produced 0.8 m s-1 currents over the shelves, and 0.3 m s-1 currents in 200 m of water.(4) Co-oscillating tides propagated into the seaway as progressive Kelvin waves, and therefore tidal ranges in the seaway were mesotidal to macrofdal along the southeastern margin but microtidal everywhere else. (5) Significant deep-water wave heights and periods of the fully developed wave field are predicted to have been 5 to 6 m high and 10 s, respectively. The northwestern shore of the seaway would have experienced these storm waves approaching from the north, and thus net sediment drift should have been to the south. Limited available field data support these conclusions. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.
Publication Year: 1990
Publication Date: 1990-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 111
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