This proposal requests funds to permit Drs. David C. Chapman, Department of Physical Oceanography, and Graham H. Giese, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, to pursue with Mr. Rolu P. Encarnacion, National Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), for a period of 24 months, a program of cooperative research to develop a predictive capacity for the occurrence of large-amplitude coastal seiches. The collaborators will obtain time series measurements of sea-level oscillations and water temperature and salinity from Puerto Princesa Harbor, Palawan Island, Philippines, out to the shelf edge. Data obtained from these measurements will be input into an improved numerical model, and the output will be compared with measured seiche characteristics. Coastal seiches are long, standing waves that are frequently observed as water-level oscillations in harbors, bays, and over shelves with periods ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. Even small vertical motions may be accompanied by relatively large horizontal motions, producing currents which can carry ships out of control and cause their collision or grounding. A simple two-layer model has been developed which relates seiche excitation by internal waves to the degree of stratification. The output from this model will be compared with measured seiche characteristics. The ultimate objective of this research is reliable predictions of Palawan Island seiches. The collaborators are highly respected scientists in the field of this research. The present project will allow them to combine their talents and interests for mutual benefit. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. scientists and engineers and their counterparts in developing countries through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit.
