Research Symposium

BIO

Hi, my name is Trey Bauldin and I'm a 1st year from Daphne, Alabama. My dream is to attend medical school after I graduate to become an orthopedic surgeon. I'm interested in medical research and research on our natural world.

Wave and Wind Analysis of the Northern Big Bend Region

Abstract

The northern Big Bend region of Florida is an underresearched, low-wave energy environment. Currently, the majority of research is focused on studying high-wave energy environments, leaving our understanding of low-wave energy environments lacking in comparison. This research seeks to answer the question of how different kinds of wind events affect the wave environment of the region. The was conducted using basic statistical analysis of the wind and wave data collected via buoys at different locations. The analysis was done mainly by comparing how the wind and wave data correlate via graphs in MatLab. The results aren’t fully apparent, but the preliminary results show both local and non-local winds are correlated with max wave heights. Offshore winds produce higher max wave heights than onshore winds do. Furthermore, tropical cyclones produce unusually high wave heights that aren’t typically seen in the Big Bend’s low-wave energy environment. By further understanding these dynamics, the wave environment can be more easily predicted. Further studies can use this research as a basis to research other aspects of the wave environment. These results emphasize the complexity of the wave environment within the region and the many factors at play. This research adds to furthering our understanding of the northern Big Bend region of Florida.

Keywords: Waves Wind Oceanography