Thermal lenses and internal solitons in Chapala Lake, Mexico

Abstract

Instrumental measurements of the circulation and thermic regimen of tropical Chapala Lake revealed the surface temperature variations in its eastern part. In all of the cross-sections, spatial variations of 3°C were ordinarily registered over a distance of just 100–300 m. The movements of the internal thermal front in the water body with 2°C fluctuation were registered at a buoy station. The front’s forepart was accompanied by intensive internal waves in the form of internal KdeV solitons. The front near the buoy station was formed by the movement of the warm water body coming from the eastern shallow part of the lake and stimulated by the morning breeze.