HR: 08:15h
AN: OS11B-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Fission of Internal Solitary Waves from a Decelerating Density Front
AU: * Nash, J D
EM: nash@coas.oregonstate.edu
AF: College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, 104 COAS Admin. Bldg Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 United States
AU: Moum, J N
EM: moum@coas.oregonstate.edu
AF: College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, 104 COAS Admin. Bldg Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 United States
AB: Solitary internal waves are typically thought to be generated through topographic interactions. However, the ubiquitous presence of solitary waves in regions of mild topography (such as the northern Oregon Coast) has remained a mystery. We present an alternative generation mechanism: that from a decelerating plume front. In July 2004, we obtained a detailed set of near-surface turbulence and acoustics observations of a front of the Columbia River Plume that illustrate the generation process. Nine transects over a seven hour period document: (1) the growth of a plume front, (2) the fission of nonlinear waves that inherit the physical characteristics of the front, and (3) the free propagation of a nonlinear internal wave packet. Linear wave theory is used to interpret the results and describe the timing of wave release.
UR: http://kai.oce.orst.edu
DE: 4219 Continental shelf processes
DE: 4524 Fine structure and microstructure
DE: 4528 Fronts and jets
DE: 4568 Turbulence, diffusion, and mixing processes
DE: 4572 Upper ocean processes
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting