Observation of nonlinear internal solitary wave trains at the northern and southern mouths of the Strait of Messina

Abstract

During the PRIME '82 oceanographic cruise, several large-amplitude internal wave trains were observed a few km both north and south of the Strait of Messina. Two different kinds of internal solitary waves were observed. The first was an isolated wave, with a long-lasting ( t6 min) signal; its length was ∼350 m. The second consisted in sets of 3–6 waves with decreasing amplitudes. Each wave had a length of ∼120 m and lasted for ∼2 min, the Vaisala-Brunt period was 2–3 min. The phenomenon is discussed theroretically to determine whether its dynamics can be described by Korteweg-de Vries, Benjamin-Ono or Joseph equations.