Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-wp2c8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-15T19:29:11.978Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

On the role of density jumps in the reflexion and breaking of internal gravity waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

Donald P. Delisi  and
Isidoro Orlanski
Donald P. Delisi
Affiliation:
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA, Princeton University
Isidoro Orlanski
Affiliation:
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA, Princeton University
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A laboratory experiment is presented which examines the role of density jumps in the reflexion and breaking of internal gravity waves. It is found that the measured phase shift of the reflected wave and the measured amplitude of the density jump are in good agreement with linear theory. Local overturning occurs when wave amplitude becomes large, and there appears to be a critical amplitude above which overturning will occur and below which it will not. The overturning seems to be due to local gravitational instability, caused by the horizontal advection of density. Overturning changes the basic flow field in the region of interaction; and it results in smaller-scale motions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 69 , Issue 3 , 10 June 1975 , pp. 445 - 464
Copyright
© 1975 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Delisi, D. P. 1972 An experimental study of finite amplitude waves in a stratified wind tunnel. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley.
Delisi, D. P. & Corcos, G. 1973 A study of internal waves in a wind tunnel Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 5, 121–137.Google Scholar
Fortuin, J. M. H. 1960 Theory and application of two supplementary methods of constructing density gradient columns J. Polymer Sci. 44, 505–515.Google Scholar
Gossard, E. E., Richter, J. H. & Jensen, D. R. 1973 Effect of wind shear on atmospheric wave instabilities revealed by FM/CW radar observations Boundary-Layer Meterol. 4, 113–131.Google Scholar
Mcewan, A. D. 1971 Degeneration of resonantly-excited standing internal gravity waves J. Fluid Mech. 50, 431–448.Google Scholar
Mcewan, A. D. 1973 Interactions between internal gravity waves and their traumatic effect on a continuous stratification Boundary-Layer Meterol. 5, 159–175.Google Scholar
Mckenzie, J. F. 1972 Reflection and amplification of acoustic-gravity waves at a density and velocity discontinuity J. Geophys. Res. 77, 2915–2926.Google Scholar
Mclaren, T. I., Pierce, A. D., Fohl, T. & Murphy, B. L. 1973 An investigation of internal gravity waves generated by a buoyantly rising fluid in a stratified medium J. Fluid Mech. 57, 229–240.Google Scholar
Mowbray, D. E. & Rarity, B. S. H. 1967 A theoretical and experimental investigation of the phase configuration of internal waves of small amplitude in a density stratified liquid J. Fluid Mech. 28, 1–16.Google Scholar
Orlanski, I. 1972 On the breaking of standing internal gravity waves J. Fluid Mech. 54, 577–598.Google Scholar
Orlanski, I. & Bryan, K. 1969 Formation of the thermocline step structure by largeamplitude internal gravity waves J. Geophys. Res. 74, 6975–6983.Google Scholar
Pao, Y. & GOLDBERG, A. (eds.) 1969 Clear Air Turbulence and Its Detection. New York: Plenum Press.
Phillips, O. M. 1966 The Dynamics of the Upper Ocean. Cambridge University Press.
Scotti, R. S. & Corcos, G. M. 1972 An experiment on the stability of small disturbances in a stratified free shear layer J. Fluid Mech. 52, 499–528.Google Scholar
Thorfe, S. A. 1968 A method of producing a shear flow in a stratified fluid J. Fluid Mech. 32, 693–704.Google Scholar
Thorpe, S. A. 1969 Experiments on the instability of stratified shear flows: immiscible fluids. J. Fluid Mech. 39, 25–48.Google Scholar
Thorpe, S. A. 1971 Experiments on the instability of stratified shear flows: miscible fluids. J. Fluid Mech. 46, 299–319.Google Scholar
Thorpe, S. A. 1973 Turbulence in stably stratified fluids: a review of laboratory experiments. Boundary-Layer Meterol. 5, 95–119.Google Scholar
Turner, J. S. 1973 Buoyancy Effects in Fluids. Cambridge University Press.
Woods, J. D. & Wiley, R. L. 1972 Billow turbulence and ocean microstructure Deep-Sea Res. 19, 87–121.Google Scholar