Tidal Bores

Tidal Bores
Report for the course “Physics of Coastal Systems 2010”

Werner de Groot (3558835)
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Table of contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Results: a model for tidal bores ........................................................................................................ 4 Physical explanation ..................................................................................................................... 4 Mathematical description ............................................................................................................. 5 Different types of tidal bores .......................................................................................................... 12 Discussion: comparison to observations ........................................................................................ 12 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................... 15 Cited material ................................................................................................................................. 15

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Abstract
This report will provide the reader with an introduction to tidal bores. A tidal bore is a tidal phenomenon in which the incoming tide forms a large wave that travels up a river against the direction of the current. The introduction includes a discussion of the physical processes that are responsible for the generation of a tidal bore and a mathematical model that, among other things, quantifies the propagation velocity of a bore. Finally, the properties of tidal bores that were discussed in this report will be compared to recent observations, based on the...