An overview of internal wave observations and theory associated with canyons and slopes

Abstract

Topographic environments such as canyons and slopes are known to be regions of complex internal-wave behavior associated with wave generation, propagation, and dissipation. Much of this anomalous behavior stems from the kinematic constraint that internal waves must maintain their angle of propagation with respect to the horizontal even after interaction with a sloping boundary. In canyons or on slopes, waves propagating in from deep water or generated locally (mostly by tidal flows) either reflect back out to sea or intensify in energy density as they propagate up slope. In particular, wave intensification can lead to nonlinear phenomena including steepening, breaking, and dissipation. This talk will provide and overview of internal wave observations, modeling, and theory in canyons and on slopes with a particular emphasis on acoustically relevant aspects of the wave field.