Abstract

This paper presents numerical simulations of the interaction of first-mode internal waves with a topographic edge at the intermediate scale, O (100) m, with a focus on the evolution of flow structures. Flow structure variation and evolution is explored through direct modifications to the amplitude of the internal wave interacting with topographic features of varying wave-topographic slope (g/s), height of the topography to the total domain depth (ht/d), and the wave Froude number (Fr = U0/cph), where g is the internal wave slope, s is the topographic slope, ht is the height of the topography, d is the simulation depth, U0 is the maximum velocity amplitude, and cph is the linear first-mode internal wave phase speed. Cases with internal wave slope equal to the topographic slope show flow dynamics with increased mixing and mass transport due to enhanced bolus formation as compared to the same cases where the internal wave and topographic slopes do not match. Increasing wave Froude numbers also increases nonlinear dynamics and formation of internal bolus cores. Internal bolus propagation past the ridge peak highlights a similarity to gravity currents, both in scaling and in the propagation dynamics.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Publication Status

Open Access

Keywords and Phrases

Diapycnal mixing; General circulation models; Internal waves; Mixing; Nonhydrostatic models; Numerical analysis/modeling

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1520-0485; 0022-3670

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 American Meteorological Society, All rights reserved.

Creative Commons Licensing

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2025

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