Field Observations of Wave-Driven Circulation over Spur and Groove Formations on a Coral Reef (NODC Accession 0123612)

Spur and groove (SAG) formations are found on the forereefs of many coral reefs worldwide. Modeling results have shown that SAG formations together with shoaling waves induce a nearshore Lagrangian circulation pattern of counter-rotating circulation cells, but these have never been observed in the field. We present results from two separate field studies of SAG formations on Palmyra Atoll which show their effect on waves to be small, but reveal a persistent order 1 cm/s depth-averaged Lagrangian offshore flow over the spur and onshore flow over the grooves, among other conclusions. Please see the paper for details:
Rogers, J.S, S. Monismith, R. Dunbar, D. Koweek, 2015, Field Observations of Wave-Driven Circulation over Spur and Groove Formations on a Coral Reef, Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans.