Atmospheric Lamb Wave Manifestations in Bottom Pressure Variations

A theoretical analysis of wave motions that arise in the ocean under the action of traveling disturbances of atmospheric pressure is presented. Formulas for a fixed-depth ocean have been obtained to describe the manifestations of traveling disturbances of atmospheric pressure in bottom pressure variations. Formulas have been obtained for estimating the amplitude of free gravity waves generated in the ocean by a traveling atmospheric disturbance in the region of a sharp change in depth. Data from IRIS ground-based barographs and DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) stations recording wave disturbances in the atmosphere and ocean caused by the explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano on January 15, 2022 have been used to study the atmospheric Lamb wave manifestations in bottom pressure variations. A Lamb wave was shown to be manifested in bottom pressure variations with amplification and identical waveforms recorded by ground-based barographs and bottom pressure sensors. A Lamb wave with an amplitude of 500 Pa can excite surface gravity waves with an amplitude of 0.5 m in the region of a deepwater trench.