A Theory of North Sea Surges

The analysis of a large number of observations of North Sea surges by R. H. Corkan has enabled him to make a classification of them into types. One type of surge appears to be due to the passage of an atmospheric depression over the entrance to the North Sea. By simplifying the mathematical conditions it is possible to predict the results of the passage of such a depression. These are largely in conformity with the observations. In particular it is shown that the surge produced is a progressive one, passing from the entrance to the North Sea to the closed end and increasing uniformly in amplitude.