Numerical simulations of internal solitary waves interacting with uniform slopes using an adaptive model

Abstract

Two-dimensional, non-linear, Boussinesq, non-hydrostatic simulations of internal solitary waves breaking and running up uniform slopes have been performed using an adaptive, finite volume fluid code “Gerris”. It is demonstrated that the Gerris dynamical core performs well in this specific but important geophysical context. The “semi-structured” nature of Gerris is exploited to enhance model resolution along the slope where wave breaking and run-up occur. Comparison with laboratory experiments reveals that the generation of single and multiple turbulent surges (“boluses”) as a function of slope angle is consistently reproduced by the model, comparable with observations and previous numerical simulations, suggesting aspects of the dynamical energy transfers are being represented by the model in two dimensions. Adaptivity is used to explore model convergence of the wave breaking dynamics, and it is shown that significant cpu memory and time savings are possible with adaptivity.