On currents, internal and inertial waves in a stratified ocean due to variable winds. Part 1

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The response of a continuously stratified viscous ocean to a variable wind air pressure field has been studied during recent years by means of analytical methods. This requires the assumption of constant eddy viscosity and exponential stratification. In shallow water constant eddy viscosity leads to irrealistically thick boundary layers compared to the water depth and, therefore, eliminates internal waves. In this first part of a two-part study a theoretical model is developed for arbitrary density stratification and eddy viscosity. The results of the integration are dealt with in part 2.