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Downward propagating internal waves generated at the base of the surface layer of a stratified fluid
Author(s) -
Stevens Craig,
Imberger Jörg
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/94gl00070
Subject(s) - internal wave , entrainment (biomusicology) , stratification (seeds) , turbulence , geology , surface layer , mechanics , stratified flow , seiche , layer (electronics) , materials science , physics , seismology , seed dormancy , germination , botany , dormancy , rhythm , acoustics , composite material , biology
Downward propagating internal waves are observed in laboratory experiments. They appear to be generated by the ‘Obstacle effect’ beneath a turbulent surface layer in a surface stress driven stratified flow experiment in a rectangular cavity. The obstacles are the perturbations at the base of the surface layer and the shear is created by a combination of an internal seiche and the circulation in the upper layer. The proportion of energy lost from the surface layer is comparable to increases in potential energy due to vertical entrainment Consequently, if conditions are favourable, a reduction in vertical entrainment may occur.