Memorial University DAI: Equilibrium tidal response of a non-global self-gravitating ocean on a yielding earth

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Title	Equilibrium tidal response of a non-global self-gravitating ocean on a yielding earth
Author	Merriam, James B.
Description	Thesis (M.Sc.) -- Memorial University of Newfoundland. 1973. Physics
Date	1973
Pagination	ii, 125 leaves
Subject	Tides
Degree	M.Sc.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Physics
Discipline	Physics
Language	Eng
Notes	Bibliography : leaves 92-94
Abstract	It is commonly stated that the equilibrium ocean tide, measured with respect to the solid surface of the Earth, has amplitude ἑ2 = (1 + k2 - h2) U2/g where U2 is the tide potential of degree-2, g is the acceleration of gravity at the surface and k2, h2, the second degree Love numbers, are scalar quantities which characterize the elastic response of the solid Earth. In fact this equation applies strictly to the "tides" in the equipotential surfaces of oceanless, spherically symmetric planets. It is found that the mass of the oceans is sufficient to disturb the potential field to which they are responding thus creating a feedback mechanism which increases the predicted tide height by about 63%. The loading and subsequent deformation of the solid Earth by the ocean tide creates another feedback loop which decreases the tide by about 40%. The combined effect of loading and self-attraction is a 23% increase in the predicted tide height. In addition the irregular distribution of the oceans introduces complications in the response of the oceans to a prescribed potential and a single scalar equation no longer suffices. A set of matrices is developed to replace the scalar Love parameters and these are used to construct maps of several tides which are thought to be equilibrium. Matrices which give the perturbed potential and the gravity tide on a non-spherically symmetric Earth are also given, and the correct expression for the load gravimetric factor, about which there has been some confusion, is derived. Previous estimates of the influence of equilibrium ocean tides on certain aspects of rotation of the Earth are re-worked using the results of the matrix method.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic resource or dissertation
Format	Image/jpg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	76006056
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(17.44 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Merriam_JamesB.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	271663.cpd