Estimate of energy loss from internal solitary waves breaking on slopes

Abstract. Internal solitary waves (ISWs) emerge in the ocean and seas various forms break on shelf zones a variety of ways. This results intensive mixing that affects processes such as biological productivity sediment transport. As ISWs depression propagate two-layer ocean, from deep part onto shelf, two mechanisms are significant: (1) breaking internal over bottom topography when fluid velocities exceed wave phase speed causes overturning rear face wave, (2) changing polarity at turning point where depths upper lower layers equal. We assume parameters describe process interaction with an idealized shelf-slope nondimensional amplitude, normalized upper-layer thickness; ratio height layer to incident amplitude; (3) angle inclination. Based proposed three-dimensional classification diagram, four types propagation slopes distinguished: ISW propagates slope without breaking, changes breaks polarity, both slope. The energy loss during transformation angles was estimated using 85 numerical experiments. “Hot spots” high levels were highlighted for configuration mimics continental Lufeng region South China Sea.