M. -R. Alam | Searcharxiv

arXiv2016

Inherently Unstable Internal Gravity Waves due to Resonant Harmonic Generation

Here we show that there exist internal gravity waves that are inherently unstable, that is, they cannot exist in nature for a long time. The instability mechanism is a one-way (irreversible) harmonic-generation resonance that permanently transfers the energy of an internal wave to its higher harmonics. We show that, in fact, there are countably infinite number of such unstable waves. For the harmonic-generation resonance to take place, nonlinear terms in the free surface boundary condition play a pivotal role, and the instability does not obtain for a linearly-stratified fluid if a simplified boundary condition such as rigid lid or linear form is employed. Harmonic-generation resonance presented here also provides a mechanism for the transfer of the energy of the internal waves to the higher-frequency part of the spectrum where internal waves are more prone to breaking, hence losing energy to turbulence and heat and contributing to oceanic mixing.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

Sensitivity of Internal Wave Energy Distribution over Seabed Corrugations to Adjacent Seabed Features

Here we show that the distribution of internal gravity waves energy over a patch of seabed corrugations strongly depends on the "distance" of the patch to adjacent seafloor features. Specifically, we consider the energy distribution over a patch of seabed ripples neighbored to i. another patch of ripples, and ii. a vertical wall. Seabed undulations with dominant wavenumber twice as large as overpassing internal waves reflect back part of the energy of the internal waves (Bragg reflection), let the rest of the energy to transmit or to be transferred to higher and lower modes. In the presence of a neighboring topography on the downstream side, the transmitted energy from the patch may reflect back, e.g. partially if the downstream topography is another set of seabed ripples, or fully if it is a vertical wall. The reflected wave from downstream topography is again reflected back by the patch of ripples through the same mechanism. This consecutive reflection goes on indefinitely leading to a complex interaction pattern including constructive and destructive interference of multiply reflected waves as well as an interplay between higher modes internal waves resonated over the topography. We show here that when steady state is reached both the qualitative and quantitative behavior of energy distribution over the patch is a strong function of the "distance" between the patch and the downstream topography. As a result, for instance, the local energy density in the water column can become an order of magnitude larger in certain areas merely based on where the downstream topography is. This may result in the formation of steep waves in specific areas of the ocean, leading to breaking and enhanced mixing. At a right distance, the wall or the second patch may also result in a complete disappearance of the trace of the seabed undulations on the upstream and the downstream wave field.

physics.flu-dyn↗