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On the maximal form of internal solitary waves

W. A. B. Evans,
Physics Laboratory, University of Kent,
Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK.

 

Abstract:

Recent integral equation computations (Evans and Ford 1996bTurner and Vandenbroeck 1988) of large amplitude internal waves under oceanic conditions, $\rho_2/\rho_1\lesssim 1$, have suggested a form with fixed maximal depth and of arbitrary, very large width in accord with Benjamin (1966)'s concept of `conjugate flow'. Here we explore the `conjugate flow' picture for both ``rigid-lid'' and ``free top surface'' boundary conditions. We discuss the limitations of this kind of extremal form - especially for cases where $\rho_2/\rho_1\ll 1$.






1998-09-18