Finite-amplitude solitary waves in a two-layer fluid

Abstract

Second-mode nonlinear internal waves at a thin interface between homogeneous layers of immiscible fluids of different densities have been studied theoretically and experimentally. A mathematical model is proposed to describe the generation, interaction, and decay of solitary internal waves which arise during intrusion of a fluid with intermediate density into the interlayer. An exact solution which specifies the shape of solitary waves symmetric about the unperturbed interface is constructed, and the limiting transition for finite-amplitude waves at the interlayer thickness vanishing is substantiated. The fine structure of the flow in the vicinity of a solitary wave and its effect on horizontal mass transfer during propagation of short intrusions have been studied experimentally. It is shown that, with friction at the interfaces taken into account, the mathematical model adequately describes the variation in the phase and amplitude characteristics of solitary waves during their propagation.