Datasets > Raster data > Massachusetts > 2005-2009

Maximum Current Velocity, Atlantic Coast, Massachusetts, 2009

Applied Science Associates · 2009 Full Details

Full Details

Title
Maximum Current Velocity, Atlantic Coast, Massachusetts, 2009
Description
This raster layer contains the maximum (spring tide) current speed in the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) planning area (and extended rectangular region ~ 6 nautical miles from the southern planning border) based on the sum of the M2 and S2 tidal components in the ADCIRC VDatum model. The tidal constituent model data is from the ADCIRC VDatum data described below. The data has been processed to estimate the maximum tidal current speed 250 meter grid. The processing was done using Matlab with the tidal ellipse tool box written by Zhigang Xu (xuz@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca). The data from the ADCIRC tidal constituent model includes the phase and amplitude of each tidal constituent at 161,131 points in the Gulf of Maine. These harmonic constituents for the eastward and northward velocity are converted to elliptical major and minor axis velocities using the ellipse toolbox. The maximum spring tide velocity is estimated from the M2 and the S2 tidal frequencies which are the two largest components of the tidal variability. The data product is therefore the estimated fortnightly (spring tide) maximum velocity. The ocean currents at any instant, will never appear as they do in the figure. This is an estimate of the maximum that each location will experience over 14 days. The estimated maximum is exported from Matlab and read into ArcGIS as a point file with location and speed data. The speed at each point in the 250 meter grid is taken from the nearest point in the triangular ADCIRC model grid nodes. This interpolation method proved to be the most efficient and reliable. Only tidal forcing mechanisms are considered in this model data. During storms the wind driven flow may far exceed the mean estimated here. About the VDatum Tidal constituent model, from VDatum and Strategies for National Coverage: "The first stage of each project is to develop the tide model used to compute the tidal datums. For this, high-resolution coastline data and NOAA bathymetry in the area are processed in a quality-controlled manner. This information is used to construct a high-resolution unstructured grid for use by the tide model. The standard tide model used in VDatum applications is ADCIRC, and modeled tidal datums are compared with datums computed from observations obtained by NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) for operating and historical tide stations. Model-data inconsistencies are adjusted using spatial interpolation techniques, and resultant tidal datums are provided to the VDatum software on a structured marine grid. NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) then uses these results to help compute the relationship between tidal datums and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). NGS also provides the orthometric and ellipsoidal transformations used by the VDatum software." VDatum and Strategies for National Coverage Edward Myers, Kurt Hess, Zhizhang Yang, Jiangtao Xu, Adeline Wong, Dave Doyle, Jason Woolard, Stephen White, Bang Le, Stephen Gill, Gerald Hovis NOAA, National Ocean Service 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA For more information about the ADCIRC tidal model: http://www.adcirc.org/, This data set was developed to aid in coastal development and navigation. The data provides an estimate of the maximum currents experienced in the MOP planning area during a tidal cycle., This layer is presented in the WGS84 coordinate system for web display purposes. Downloadable data are provided in native coordinate system or projection.
Creator
Geological Survey (U.S.), Applied Science Associates
Publisher
Applied Science Associates
Subject
Ocean bottom, Tidal currents, Oceans, Imagery and Base Maps
Temporal Coverage
2009
Date Issued
2009
Rights
This item is in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.
Rights Holder
This work is in the Public Domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright.
Access Rights
Public
Format
ArcGRID
Language
English
Date Added
October 01, 2025

Location

Cite and Reference

  • Citation
    Geological Survey (U.S.), Applied Science Associates (2009). Maximum Current Velocity, Atlantic Coast, Massachusetts, 2009. Applied Science Associates. (dataset)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

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