IUGG 2003 Abstract

JSP09 Physical Aspects of Air-Sea Interaction (IAPSO, IAMAS)  Thursday, July 10 PM Location: Site B, Room 20 Presiding Chair:S. Gulev

TIME [ 1745 ] [ JSP09/10P/B20-014 ]

STATISTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WAVES AND CURRENTS IN FRONT OF THE COASTAL WATER OF DAMIETTA, EGYPT

Fahmy M. EID(Department of Oceanography, University of Alexandria)

Sayed H. SHARAF EL-DIN(Department of Oceanography, University of Alexandria)

The data of waves and currents which are measured off Damietta area throughout the period from Aug. 1997 to Dec. 1998 are analyzed in details to give a clear picture on sediment transport along the coast or in the on/offshore direction. The results of this analysis showed that: The main wave direction is mainly from NNW for all months with the highest maximum wave height of about 4.3 m during winter. The average significant wave height and period were approximately 0.46 m and 6.4 second respectively. The current speed in winter were greater than that at the other seasons with a maximum values of about 69.9 cm/sec. The current direction off Damietta area lies between NE and ENE direction. The current direction beyond breaker zone in front of Damietta Nile branch mostly tending westward and accompanied with a rip current on the western side which is responsible to remove sediment from onshore to offshore direction and thus execrate coastal erosion in this area. The predominant direction of long shore current is from west to east. Littoral Current velocity are higher during the winter than in other seasons due to the stormy waves prevailing during winter and swells in summer.