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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-188
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-188
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Preprints
29 Jan 2026
 | 29 Jan 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Ocean Science (OS).

Technical note: tidal motions in the deep Mediterranean

Hans van Haren

Abstract. The Mediterranean Sea is known for its limited tidal motions. For example, surface barotropic tidal elevations have an amplitude of 0.1 m in the Northwestern Mediterranean. Nevertheless, these small tides are noticeable in temperature records at the 2500-m deep seafloor, but only under near-homogeneous conditions when buoyancy frequency N < f, the inertial frequency. After transfer of pressure to temperature units via the local adiabatic lapse rate, the observed internal-wave temperature signals may thus be corrected for 1.5x10-5-°C amplitude semidiurnal barotropic tides. The remaining baroclinic tides are embedded in the broad and featureless inertio-gravity wave band, with some energy enhancement near its boundaries, also under tenfold-larger energetic stratified water conditions.

How to cite. van Haren, H.: Technical note: tidal motions in the deep Mediterranean, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-188, 2026.
Received: 13 Jan 2026 – Discussion started: 29 Jan 2026
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Hans van Haren

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Short summary
The Mediterranean Sea is known for its limited tidal motions. For example, surface barotropic tidal elevations have an amplitude of 0.1 m in the Northwestern Mediterranean. As is demonstrated in this paper, such small tides are noticeable in temperature records at the 2500-m deep seafloor, but only under near-homogeneous conditions. After correcting for pressure effects, the observed internal-wave temperature signals may thus be corrected for 1.5x10-5-°C amplitude semidiurnal barotropic tides.
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