HORIZONTAL VARIABILITY OF SURFACE CURRENTS IN THE DEAD-SEA

Surface currents in the Dead Sea, as measured by two land-based HF (hi gh frequency) radar stations in autumn 1984, are analysed. High horizo ntal variability is observed, which may partly be explained by the inh omogeneous wind field. Decomposition into empirical orthogonal eigenfu nctions (EOF) shows that the currents may not be represented by a smal l number of patterns. The forcing of currents by wind is proved throug h significant correlation between both. Spatially-averaged rotary spec tra provide evidence of the presence of inertial oscillations. The dat a set allows the calculation of horizontal derivatives. Time series of divergence and curl are presented. By estimating the advective terms of the Navier-Stokes equation it is shown that nonlinear effects are i mportant.