450 



General Theory of Ocean Currents in a Homegeneous Sea 



all the characteristics of inertia oscillations. At </> = 44° 33' the theoretical period is 

 17-1 h. The amplitudes of the components are almost identical and also the require- 

 ment that the ^-component should follow the TV-component by a quarter of a period 

 (4-24 h) is fully justified. The deviations in the deeper layers must be a consequence of 

 internal waves. Figure 197 shows the course of the N- and ^-components for the layer 



,N E 

 *zo -no 



*io 



0-10 



-10 -20 



-20-30 



17.2. M.G. Z. 

 6 12 



laa. 



ia 



12 



18 



io. 



6 



2asi 



18 6 12 



Fig. 197. North and east component of the current at the "Altair" anchor station according 

 to the values of the harmonic analysis for the depth interval 5-15 m (basic current + 17 h 



period + 12-3 h period). 



18 



between 5 and 15 m as given by the values obtained by harmonic analysis. The beats 

 stand out clearly, as does the retardation of the £"-component behind the TV-component 

 characteristic of inertia oscillations. 



The inertia oscillations at the "Altair" anchor station are of considerable interest 

 in so far as they show that the entire current system, together with the oceanic structure 

 of the surrounding waters, seems to take part in these oscillations following the 

 rhythm of the inertia period. These oscillations which may be initiated by any external 

 disturbance impulses stand out particularly well in stratified waters, since coupled 

 with these oscillations of the flow are corresponding oscillations of the density transi- 

 tion layer and of the system of isosteres which are thus reflected in all layers (see 

 Vol II). 



