NA - Ocean Waves: Dynamics, Hazards, Currents and Utilization

Norway, surrounded by the North, Norwegian and Barents Seas with a rich endowment of offshore petroleum resources, has been an international leader in scientific and technological research essential to the exploration, exploitation and management of ocean resources. Interactions and collaboration with researchers in US and Canadian universities have existed on small scales for a long time. This proposal is submitted by colleagues from several disciplines and universities in the three countries, on an area of importance to ocean science and technology. The research area focusses on Ocean Gravity Waves. Wave dynamics is vital to the exchanges of momentum and energy in the upper ocean, and between sea and the atmosphere. Quantitative understanding of these p rocesses is crucial to the accurate forecast of weather and climate on the global scale. Future sub-sea installations must withstand strong bottom curents caused by internal waves. On smaller scales, many of the highly nonlinear behavior such as freak (ro gue) waves are of direct impact on the safety of shipping traffic. Hazards of large waves on the coastal environment have been tragically demonstrated by the Indian Ocean tsunami. Effective exploration of ocean resources requires better modelling of wave- structure interactions. To search for alternative energy, economically viable means of extraction of wave energy awaits urgent study. These topics are of global interest for the new millenium and can be more effectively advanced by joint efforts of resear chers from different disciplines and countries. For sustained international collaboration, a program for nurturing graduate students and young researchers with experience and outlook beyond one's own culture is proposed.