West Bexington, Chesil Beach, Dorset (50° 41'N, 2° 45'W)

Spectral wave data parameters

Sea level recorders; wave recorders

One dimensional wave spectra were measured using a pressure transducer in approximately 10 metres of water at West Bexington, Chesil Beach, Dorset. The pressure transducer was mounted in a tripod, level with the seabed. The instrument cable was linked to the shore and interfaced to a small computer. Pressures were averaged every 0.5 seconds over 1024 seconds. Average water height over this period was also computed. Wave spectra were computed from the 2048 pressure readings, and corrected for pressure depth attenuation using Classical Linear Theory. This analysis was carried out every 18 minutes. Data were recorded on disk if the significant wave height was over 2.5 metres, or if the time was 0000h, 0130h (i.e. in 90 minute steps). The accuracy of the pressure readings was better than +/-1 per cent.

Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory
Joseph Proudman Building 6 Brownlow Street
Liverpool
Merseyside
L3 5DA
United Kingdom