Generation and evolution of internal solitary waves in the southern Taiwan Strait

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe generation processes and potential energy sources of internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the southern Taiwan Strait are investigated by driving a high resolution non-hydrostatic numerical model with realistic background conditions. Two main types of ISWs are clarified according to their different energy sources. One is generated by the nonlinear disintegration of remote internal tides emanating from Luzon Strait, and the other type is generated by local tide-topography interaction at the continental slope. The basic properties and evolution processes differ between these two kinds of ISWs. The waves originated from the remote internal tides at Luzon Strait have amplitudes comparable to previous field observations. In contrast, the ISWs generated locally are much weaker than observed waves, even in the presence of a steady offshore background current, which intensifies the generation of onshore ISWs. The ISWs induced by remotely generated M2 internal tides are stronger than those induced by K1 internal tides, and the fraction of internal wave energy transmitted onto the shelf is not significantly influenced by the intensity of remotely generated internal tides.