Nonlinear Waves in a Rotating Ocean (The Ostrovsky Equation and Its Generalizations and Applications)

Abstract

This review presents theoretical, numerical, and experimental results of a study of the structure and dynamics of weakly nonlinear internal waves in a rotating ocean accumulated over the past 40 years since the time when the approximate equation, called the Ostrovsky equation, was derived in 1978. The relationship of this equation with other well-known wave equations, the integrability of the Ostrovsky equation, and the condition for the existence of stationary solitary waves and envelope solitary waves are discussed. The adiabatic dynamics of Korteweg–de Vries solitons in the presence of fluid rotation is described. The mutual influence of the ocean inhomogeneity and rotation effect on the dynamics of solitary waves is considered. The universality of the Ostrovsky equation as applied to waves in other media (solids, plasma, quark-gluon plasma, and optics) is noted.