Abstract
The distribution and source sites of nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) northeast of Hainan Island were investigated using satellite observations and a wavefront propagation model. Satellite observations show two types of NLIWs (here referred to as type-S and type-D waves). The type-S waves are spaced at a semidiurnal tidal period and the type-D waves are spaced at a diurnal tidal period. The spatial distribution of the two types of NLIWs displays a sandwich structure in which the middle region is influenced by both types of NLIWs, and the northern and southern regions are governed by the type-S and type-D waves, respectively. Solving the wavefront model yields good agreement between simulated and observed wavefronts from the Luzon Strait to Hainan Island. We conclude that the NLIWs originate from the Luzon Strait.
Highlights
Nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) are often transformed from the propagation of nonlinear internal tides
The semidiurnal internal tides can steepen to form NLIWs under the influence of nonhydrostatic and rotational dispersion; by contrast, the rotation significantly inhibits the steepening of diurnal internal tides [4]
Comparing the four NLIWs with simulated wavefronts, we found the interval between themisisapproximately approximatelyaa semidiurnal semidiurnal tidal
Summary
Nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) are often transformed from the propagation of nonlinear internal tides. They frequently occur in coastal oceans and marginal seas, and have strong effects on driving vertical mixing, scattering and ducting acoustic modes, and endangering underwater equipment and moving objects. There are two of NLIW northeast of Hainan referred to assatellite type-S (S denotes semidiurnal) andtypes type-D (D denotes diurnal) waves.Island,. We combine satellite observations and a wavefront propagation model to clarify distribution and source sites of NLIWs northeast of Hainan. Clarify the distribution and source sites of NLIWs northeast of Hainan Island
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