# Collaborative Research: Quantifying and predicting wind-driven internal-wave shear in the ocean

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of California-San Diego Scripps Inst of Oceanography (CA) · $650,637

## Abstract

Wind blowing over the ocean resonantly generates near-inertial waves (NIWs) which dominate the ocean kinetic-energy and vertical-shear spectra at frequencies above 0.2 cycles/day. Once generated, long-wavelength (low-mode) NIWs propagate long distances toward the equator before meeting an unknown fate, while short-wavelength (high-mode) NIWs persist for weeks under the storm track, maintaining ubiquitous upper-ocean shear. The exact partitioning between low- and high-mode NIWs is unknown, but relevant to ocean/climate feedback because breaking NIWs drive diapycnal mixing that affects the vertical transports of heat and carbon in the ocean. Low-mode NIWs are believed to scatter over rough topography where they may enhance deep boundary mixing. High-mode NIWs produce velocity shear associated with total kinetic energy dissipation through a variety of processes such as wave-wave or wave-mean interactions, thus contributing to open-water upper-ocean mixing. This project will synthesize existing NIW observations, theory, and numerical models to create a global NIW prediction system, which will help answer some basic questions that have persisted despite recent progress with theory and process studies: (1) How do dynamics in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) shape NIW vertical wavenumber spectrum? (2) What is the fate of low-mode NIWs? and (3) How well do linearized models that include realistic wind, stratification, and mesoscale circulation predict upper-ocean shear?  Resul

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2446506
- **Awardee organization:** University of California-San Diego Scripps Inst of Oceanography (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QJ8HMDK7MRM3
- **PI:** Amy F Waterhouse
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
- **Estimated total:** $650,637
- **Funds obligated:** $650,637
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2446506

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2446506, Collaborative Research: Quantifying and predicting wind-driven internal-wave shear in the ocean. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2446506. Licensed CC0.

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