Internal Wave Energetics on a Shelf Break

Abstract

This study focuses on understanding the energetics and dynamics of the interaction of first-mode internal gravity waves in a continuously stratified fluid with a shelf break. We present results of high-resolution 2- and 3-dimensional numerical simulations showing the interaction of internal waves with a shelf break. The interaction of an incoming nonlinear wave field with a near-critical to supercritical topography causes the formation of upslope surging bores that get ejected onto the shelf as propagating internal boluses. We present the energy flux distribution across the shelf break for a wide range of topographic slopes and Froude numbers, and we show that both the transmitted and the reflected energy fluxes are strong functions of the Froude numbers as well as the ratio of the topographic slope to the internal wave beam angle. The energy flux calculations show that the internal boluses that form due to the interaction of the incident waves with the slope are very energetic, especially for near-critical slopes. The interaction of these nonlinear internal waves with bathymetry can be effective in transporting mass onshore as well as raising diapycnal mixing levels in the coastal ocean. Copyright © by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Baroclinic energy flux; Nonlinear internal waves (NLIW); Wave-topographic interactions

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1053-5381

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Mar 2007

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