WATER CIRCULATION IN THE SHALLOW SHELF AREAS OFF THE TERENGGANU COAST AFFECTED BY WIND STRESS FORCE USING A HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL

Abstract

The dynamic of circulation patterns in Terengganu waters largely dominated by wind forcing specifially the monsoon wind. In order to understand this dynamic, a hydrodynamic model is applied to simulate the major circulation patterns in Terengganu waters. The model used is a three-dimensional simulation MIKE 3 Flow Model FM by Danish Hydrological Institute (DHI). The model exhibit that the current flwed in the same direction with prevailing monsoon winds. While the current speed was dominated by magnitude of monsoon winds. The maximum current speed recorded during SW monsoon was 0.327 m/s and 0.478 m/s during NE monsoon. Additionally, the model was able to capture the convergence and divergence current patterns during SW and NE monsoon seasons respectively. This convergence and divergence current features occurred at 5.5 oN to 6oN latitude off the Terengganu waters. The convergence–divergence current pattern was suggested due to monsoon winds and effect from circulation in Gulf of Thailand. The study fialize the variability and dynamic of current circulation patterns in Terengganu waters are largely inflenced by monsoon winds and effect from the Gulf of Thailand circulation.