Internal wave beam propagation in non-uniform stratifications
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Peacock_Internal Wave.pdf
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744.5 KB
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Author(s)
Mathur, Manikandan S.
Peacock, Thomas
Date Issued
October 2009
Journal
Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Citation
Mathur, Manikandan and Thomas Peacock. "Internal wave beam propagation in non-uniform stratifications." Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 639, pp 133-152 (2009) ©2009 Cambridge University Press.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
In addition to being observable in laboratory experiments, internal wave beams are reported in geophysical settings, which are characterized by non-uniform density stratifications. Here, we perform a combined theoretical and experimental study of the propagation of internal wave beams in non-uniform density stratifications. Transmission and reflection coefficients, which can differ greatly for different physical quantities, are determined for sharp density-gradient interfaces and finite-width transition regions, accounting for viscous dissipation. Thereafter, we consider even more complex stratifications to model geophysical scenarios. We show that wave beam ducting can occur under conditions that do not necessitate evanescent layers, obtaining close agreement between theory and quantitative laboratory experiments. The results are also used to explain recent field observations of a vanishing wave beam at the Keana Ridge, Hawaii.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022112009991236
