Rip current observations on a low-sloping dissipative beach

Shari L. Gallop, Karin R. Bryan, Sebastian Pitman, Roshanka Ranasinghe, Dean Sandwell

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Rip currents are the main cause of beach rescues and fatalities. Key drivers of rip current hazard are: (1) fast current speeds; and (2) the exit rate of floating material from inside to outside of the surf zone. Exit rates may vary temporally, such as due to Very Low Frequency (VLF) motions, which have a period on the order of 10 minutes. However, there is little field data to determine the driver(s) of exit rate. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine rip current circulation patterns, and specifically, determine their relationship to surf zone exits, on a high-energy dissipative beach. Three days of field measurements were undertaken at Ngarunui Beach, New Zealand. Three daily surf zone flow patterns were found: (1) alongshore; (2) surf zone eddy with high exit rate; and (3) surf zone eddy with no exits. There were strong infragravity peaks in energy within the surf zone, at 30-45s, although none at VLF (∼10 minute) frequencies. Further research is underway to determine what drove the high surf zone exit rate observed at Ngarunui Beach.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages304-307
    Number of pages4
    Publication statusPublished - 2015
    EventAustralian Coasts and Ports 2015 Conference - Auckland, New Zealand
    Duration: 15 Sept 201518 Sept 2015

    Conference

    ConferenceAustralian Coasts and Ports 2015 Conference
    Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
    CityAuckland
    Period15/09/1518/09/15

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