Waves in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay around Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Surface wave characteristics around Dhanushkodi are studied based on the measured data in the Gulf of Mannar and in the Palk Bay. Wave spectra are mainly double-peaked in the Gulf of Mannar and singlepeaked in the Palk Bay. High waves (maximum wave height up to 5.4 m) are observed in the Gulf of Mannar compared to the Palk Bay (maximum wave height is 3.6 m). Wave heights are more in the Gulf of Mannar during the southwest monsoon period and the waves are from south-southwest. In the Palk Bay, high waves are found during the northeast monsoon period. Swells dominate the Gulf of Mannar, except during the southwest monsoon period, whereas wind seas exist in the Palk Bay as distant swells cannot reach the bay due to the protection by Indian peninsula and northern extremity of Sri Lanka. Influence of cyclone Laila is observed during the study period in both the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay.