Internal Bore Evolution Across the Shelf Near Pt. Sal CA interpreted as a Gravity Current

Off the central California coast near Pt. Sal, a large amplitude internal bore was observed for 20 h over 10 km cross-shore, or 100 m to 10 m water depth (D), and 30 km alongcoast by remote sensing, 39 in situ moorings, ship surveys, and drifters. The bore is associated with steep isotherm displacements representing a significant fraction of D. Observations were used to estimate bore arrival time tB, thickness h, and bore and non-bore (ambient) temperature difference ΔT, leading to reduced gravity g′. Bore speeds c, estimated from mapped tB, varied from 0.25 m s−1 to 0.1 m s−1 from D = 50 m to D = 10 m. The h varied from 5 to 35 m, generally decreased with D, and varied regionally alongisobath. The bore ΔT varied from 0.75 to 2.15 °C. Bore evolution was interpreted from the perspective of a two-layer gravity current. Gravity current speeds U, estimated from the local bore h and g− compared well to observed bore speeds throughout its cross-shore propagation. Linear internal wave speeds based on various stratification estimates result in larger errors. On average bore thickness h = D/2, with regional variation, suggesting energy saturation. From 50–10 m depths, observed bore speeds compared well to saturated gravity current speeds and energetics that depend only on water depth and shelf-wide mean g′. This suggests that this internal bore is the internal wave analogue to a saturated surfzone surface gravity bore. Alongcoast variations in pre-bore stratification explain variations in bore properties. Near Pt. Sal, bore Doppler shifting by barotropic currents is observed.

Influence of Internal Wave on the Sound Propagation in the Subsurface Bubble Layer

In the paper the influence of non-linear internal wave on the propagation of acoustic signal in the subsurface ocean layer containing gas bubbles is considered. During interaction with surface waves the internal wave causes its collapse and influences the structure of bubble layer. Inhomogeneous structure of the layer promotes the local speed of sound and intensity of scattering near the ocean surface to modulate by internal wave with slight shift in phase in the direction of its propagation, which agree with recent experimental observations made on the shelf of Japan Sea.

Nonreflecting Internal Wave Beam Propagation in the Deep Ocean

Using linear internal wave theory for an ocean stratified by both density and current, several background profiles are identified for which internal wave beams can propagate without any internal reflection. These special profiles are favorably compared with available oceanic data.