The Inner-Shelf Dynamics Experiment

The inner shelf, the transition zone between the surfzone and the midshelf, is a dynamically complex region with the evolution of circulation and stratification driven by multiple physical processes. Cross-shelf exchange through the inner shelf has important implications for coastal water quality, ecological connectivity, and lateral movement of sediment and heat. The Inner-Shelf Dynamics Experiment (ISDE) was an intensive, coordinated, multi-institution field experiment from September-October 2017, conducted from the midshelf, through the inner shelf, and into the surfzone near Point Sal, California. Satellite, airborne, shore- and ship-based remote sensing, in-water moorings and ship-based sampling, and numerical ocean circulation models forced by winds, waves, and tides were used to investigate the dynamics governing the circulation and transport in the inner shelf and the role of coastline variability on regional circulation dynamics. Here, the following physical processes are highlighted: internal wave dynamics from the midshelf to the inner shelf; flow separation and eddy shedding off Point Sal; offshore ejection of surfzone waters from rip currents; and wind-driven subtidal circulation dynamics. The extensive dataset from ISDE allows for unprecedented investigations into the role of physical processes in creating spatial heterogeneity, and nonlinear interactions between various inner-shelf physical processes. Overall, the highly spatially and temporally resolved oceanographic measurements and numerical simulations of ISDE provide a central framework for studies exploring this complex and fascinating region of the ocean.

To Access Resource:

Questions? Email Resource Support Contact:

  • opensky@ucar.edu
    UCAR/NCAR - Library

Resource Type publication
Temporal Range Begin N/A
Temporal Range End N/A
Temporal Resolution N/A
Bounding Box North Lat N/A
Bounding Box South Lat N/A
Bounding Box West Long N/A
Bounding Box East Long N/A
Spatial Representation N/A
Spatial Resolution N/A
Related Links N/A
Additional Information N/A
Resource Format PDF
Standardized Resource Format PDF
Asset Size N/A
Legal Constraints

Copyright 2021 American Meteorological Society (AMS).
Access Constraints None
Software Implementation Language N/A

Resource Support Name N/A
Resource Support Email opensky@ucar.edu
Resource Support Organization UCAR/NCAR - Library
Distributor N/A
Metadata Contact Name N/A
Metadata Contact Email opensky@ucar.edu
Metadata Contact Organization UCAR/NCAR - Library

Author Kumar, Nirnimesh
Lerczak, James A.
Xu, Tongtong
Waterhouse, Amy F.
Thomson, Jim
Terrill, Eric J.
Swann, Christy
Suanda, Sutara H.
Spydell, Matthew S.
Smit, Pieter B.
Simpson, Alexandra
Romeiser, Roland
Pierce, Stephen D.
de Paolo, Tony
Palóczy, André
O’Dea, Annika
Nyman, Lisa
Moum, James N.
Moulton, Melissa
Moore, Andrew M.
Miller, Arthur J.
Mieras, Ryan S.
Merrifield, Sophia T.
Melville, Kendall
McSweeney, Jacqueline M.
MacMahan, Jamie
MacKinnon, Jennifer A.
Lund, Björn
Di Lorenzo, Emanuele
Lenain, Luc
Kovatch, Michael
Janssen, Tim T.
Haney, Sean R.
Haller, Merrick C.
Haas, Kevin
Grimes, Derek J.
Graber, Hans C.
Gough, Matt K.
Fertitta, David A.
Feddersen, Falk
Edwards, Christopher A.
Crawford, William
Colosi, John
Chickadel, C. Chris
Celona, Sean
Calantoni, Joseph
Braithwaite, Edward F.
Becherer, Johannes
Barth, John A.
Ahn, Seongho
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2021-05-01T00:00:00
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Not Assigned
Alternate Identifier N/A
Resource Version N/A
Topic Category geoscientificInformation
Progress N/A
Metadata Date 2023-08-18T18:29:42.413940
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:24533
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Kumar, Nirnimesh, Lerczak, James A., Xu, Tongtong, Waterhouse, Amy F., Thomson, Jim, Terrill, Eric J., Swann, Christy, Suanda, Sutara H., Spydell, Matthew S., Smit, Pieter B., Simpson, Alexandra, Romeiser, Roland, Pierce, Stephen D., de Paolo, Tony, Palóczy, André, O’Dea, Annika, Nyman, Lisa, Moum, James N., Moulton, Melissa, Moore, Andrew M., Miller, Arthur J., Mieras, Ryan S., Merrifield, Sophia T., Melville, Kendall, McSweeney, Jacqueline M., MacMahan, Jamie, MacKinnon, Jennifer A., Lund, Björn, Di Lorenzo, Emanuele, Lenain, Luc, Kovatch, Michael, Janssen, Tim T., Haney, Sean R., Haller, Merrick C., Haas, Kevin, Grimes, Derek J., Graber, Hans C., Gough, Matt K., Fertitta, David A., Feddersen, Falk, Edwards, Christopher A., Crawford, William, Colosi, John, Chickadel, C. Chris, Celona, Sean, Calantoni, Joseph, Braithwaite, Edward F., Becherer, Johannes, Barth, John A., Ahn, Seongho. (2021). The Inner-Shelf Dynamics Experiment. UCAR/NCAR - Library. http://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7639t1t. Accessed 17 July 2025.

Harvest Source