Impact of extratropical cyclones on coastal circulation in a semi-enclosed bay within the Humboldt Current System

Abstract

This study examines the hydrodynamic response of the Gulf of Arauco, a semi-enclosed bay within the Humboldt Current System, to the passage of extratropical cyclones and their associated changes in wind patterns during the austral winter. Characterization of these cyclones over central Chile and their effect on the gulf's meridional wind was conducted using ERA5 atmospheric pressure fields in conjunction with a cyclone tracking algorithm. The hydrodynamic response was assessed through acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) observations at two strategic sites, providing valuable insights into the currents at the gulf's connections with the open ocean. Measurements were conducted from July to September 2016 and May to July 2018. Additionally, the main modes of subtidal current variability were compared with the local wind through coherence wavelets, revealing a direct influence of cyclones on the modulation of the gulf's currents. Our findings suggest that intense northerly wind events, associated with the passage of extratropical cyclones, can cause surface water transport into the gulf, accumulating at the gulf's head. This would result in a pronounced pressure gradient, driving a water outflow through both connections with the open ocean, thereby altering the coastal circulation patterns. As the northerly wind decreases, the surface inflow in the northwest region attenuates, allowing the water to exit at shallower depths. This mechanism suggests cyclones play a vital role in renewing the waters of semi-enclosed bays such as the Gulf of Arauco, potentially reducing the water residence times. Consequently, these insights provide a broader understanding of wind-driven coastal dynamics, highlighting their significant impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal management in similar semi-enclosed bays globally. By contributing to the broader knowledge of the interaction between atmospheric and oceanic processes in coastal regions, this research offers a comparative perspective applicable to other regions affected by similar atmospheric phenomena.