On the generation of Kelvin-type waves by atmospheric disturbances

This paper considers the surface response of a semi-infinite, uniformly rotating, constant depth, homogeneous ocean to a variable atmospheric force. For a general wind and pressure system it is shown that forced Kelvin-type waves can be generated and that only the longshore wind component and the pressure can generate them. In particular a semi-infinite wind and moving pressure pattern are shown to generate Kelvin waves that travel away from the force discontinuities at the speed of shallow-water waves. The waves in the latter case exhibit a frequency shift typical of non-dispersive waves from a moving source. Some numerical values for the amplitudes of the Kelvin waves are also given.