An experimental and theoretical study of internal waves generated by the collapse of a two-dimensional mixed region in a density gradient

Abstract

Previously reported experiments with a self-propelled body submerged in a fluid with a stable vertical density gradient have demonstrated that the turbulently mixed wake first expands more or less uniformly and then collapses vertically while continuing to expand horizontally (Schooley & Stewart 1963). It was also shown that the vertical collapse of the wake generates internal waves. Essentially two-dimensional experiments have also been used to explore some of the build-up and decay characteristics of vertical wake collapse induced by a sub-merged burst of turbulent mixing (Wu 1969; Schooley 1968). The present paper reports new experimental measurements and a linear theoretical analysis of the internal wave field created in stratified water by a burst of submerged turbulent mixing. The forcing function has been obtained in integral form for an initial-value model of wake collapse in terms of a general Brunt-Väisälä frequency profile, using normal mode theory. Numerical results have been determined for the specialized case of a completely mixed circular wake in a constant Brunt-Väisälä profile. These results are compared to the experimental measurements.