Analytical and Observational Studies of Internal Solitary Waves in the Yellow Sea
Abstract
This article presents findings regarding the origination & evolution of a large train of internal solitary waves as observed through Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). The internal wave train under study propagates into deeper waters away from the coast & most important appears to be generated at a well defined point along a steep topographic variation. The shallow bottom topography revealed itself in the SAR image & provided the opportunity to determine, with a large level of accuracy, the precise area where an internal bore originated. The bore traveled east & broke up into a train of solitary waves. The packets phase speed, wave amplitude, mixed-layer depth, & density difference for a two-layer structure were remotely estimated based on measurements made from the SAR image, the knowledge of the local bathymetry, historical data & a two-layer model. Farther along the propagation path the internal waves exhibited an extremely large degree of dispersion, which was related to changing stratification conditions in the area. This particularly long train of internal waves consisted of seven packets that traveled for three days along a well-defined direction that are probably a consequence of the seasonal intrusion into the region of the low salinity plume of the Yangtze River. Monitoring changes in the dispersion characteristic of a soliton train from one tidal period to the next could render remote information regarding changing stratification condition in the area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA470713
Entities
People
- A. Warn-varnas
- J. Apel
- J. Hawkins
- M. Teixeira
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory