Generation of internal waves by sheared turbulence: experiments

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A series of experiments is presented that model the generation of internal gravity waves in the ocean by the forcing of turbulent eddies in the surface mixed layer.The experimental setup consists of a shallow mixed upper layer and a deep continuously stratified lower layer. A source of turbulence is dragged through the upper layer. Internal waves can freely propagate in the lower layer. The internal waves are measured using synthetic schlieren to determine the frequencies of the generated waves. Consistent with other studies, it is found that the characteristic frequencies of internal waves generated by turbulence are an approximate constant fraction of the buoyancy frequency.