Note on the beam structure in step-trapped internal tides
In: Journal of Physical Oceanography. American Meteorological Society: Boston, etc.,. ISSN 0022-3670; e-ISSN 1520-0485, more
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Authors | | Top |
- Sanders, P.A.
- Dorrestijn, M.D.
- Gerkema, T., more
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Abstract |
The along-slope propagation of subinertial trapped internal tides is studied for the configuration of a simple step. It is revealed that they form a beam structure in the along-slope direction that is evanescent above the top of the step; these beams lack strict periodicity in the along-slope direction. As in classical internal Kelvin waves, they become less sharp away from the step, as higher modes decay more rapidly in the cross-slope direction. We discuss implications for abyssal mixing and outline the necessary ingredients for their generation. |
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