Resonant Generation of Internal Waves on a Model Continental Slope

H. P. Zhang, B. King, and Harry L. Swinney
Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 244504 – Published 20 June 2008
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Abstract

We study internal wave generation in a laboratory model of oscillating tidal flow on a continental margin. Waves are found to be generated only in a near-critical region where the slope of the bottom topography matches that of internal waves. Fluid motion with a velocity an order of magnitude larger than that of the forcing occurs within a thin boundary layer above the bottom surface. The resonant wave is unstable because of strong shear; Kelvin-Helmholtz billows precede wave breaking. This work provides a new explanation for the intense boundary flows on continental slopes.

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  • Received 5 February 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.244504

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. P. Zhang, B. King, and Harry L. Swinney

  • Center for Nonlinear Dynamics and Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA

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Issue

Vol. 100, Iss. 24 — 20 June 2008

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