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Wave propagation in random media, with oceanic applications
Author(s) -
Mysak Lawrence A.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg016i002p00233
Subject(s) - wave propagation , attenuation , physics , mechanical wave , rectilinear propagation , gravitational wave , internal wave , gravity wave , love wave , longitudinal wave , microseism , geophysics , classical mechanics , statistical physics , geology , mechanics , optics , astrophysics , seismology
A general discussion is presented of the propagation, attenuation, growth, reflection, scattering, and energy transport of waves in the presence of weak but extensive random media or boundaries. Applications of the theory to various types of long‐period waves in the ocean are given: gravity waves, shear waves, internal and inertial waves, Rossby waves, Kelvin and Poincaré waves, and edge waves. The mathematical methods used in this paper to solve the relevant random differential equations are generally of an asymptotic or approximate nature; however, attempts have been made to assess the validity of these methods. A brief discussion is also given of some recent exact methods which have been developed to study wave propagation in the presence of strong random fluctuations. There has been no attempt to summarize the extensive work done on electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic wave propagation in random media, since a number of reviews and books have already appeared on these topics.