The Interaction between Storm Surge and Concomitant Waves in Shandong Peninsula

Abstract

Storm surge and concomitant waves induced by extreme weather systems can significantly modulate the marine dynamic environment. In this study, we used the Advanced Circulation-Simulating Waves Nearshore (ADCIRC-SWAN) coupled model to analyze spatiotemporal variation in dynamic processes during two types of weather systems, i.e., typhoons and extratropical storms, in the sea area near the Shandong Peninsula. The effects of waves on water level, water level change on wave height, and currents on wave height were investigated and quantified separately by performing sensitivity experiments. Our results showed that the interaction between water level change and waves occurred mainly in the nearshore zone. The wave-induced surge accounted for about 10–15% of the total storm surge. The water level change-induced significant wave height reached up to 0.9–1.3 m. Wave–current interaction occurred mainly in the offshore zone and was related to the relative angle between wave and current directions. The modulations of water level and wave height were strongly dependent on not only storm track and intensity but also topography and coastline shapes.