Internal Kelvin waves in a two-layer liquid model

Abstract

The subinertial internal Kelvin wave solutions of a linearized system of the ocean dynamics equations for a semi-infinite two-layer f-plane model basin of constant depth bordering a straight, vertical coast are imposed. A rigid lid surface condition and no-slip wall boundary condition are imposed. Some trapped wave equations are presented and approximate solutions using an asymptotic method are constructed. In the absence of bottom friction, the solution consists of a frictionally modified Kelvin wave and a vertical viscous boundary layer. With a no-slip bottom boundary condition, the solution consists of a modified Kelvin wave, two vertical viscous boundary layers, and a large cross-section scale component. The numerical solutions for Kelvin waves are obtained for model parameters that take account of a joint effect of lateral viscosity, bottom friction, and friction between the layers.