Three‐dimensional, nonhydrostatic numerical simulation of nonlinear internal wave generation and propagation in the South China Sea

[1] We present the results of three‐dimensional, nonhydrostatic simulations of internal tides and waves in the South China Sea (SCS) using the SUNTANS model. Model results accurately predict the observed wave arrival times at two mooring locations in the SCS. Internal wave amplitudes are underpredicted which causes underprediction of internal wave speeds due to a lack of amplitude dispersion. We show that the well‐known A and B waves arise from the steepening of semidiurnal internal tides that are generated due to strong barotropic flow over ridges in the Luzon Strait. A wave generation is stronger in the southern portion of the Luzon Strait because diurnal internal tidal beams augment the amplitude of the semidiurnal A waves. B wave generation is stronger in the northern portion where the distance between the eastern and western ridges is approximately equal to one internal tidal wavelength and leads to semidiurnal internal tidal resonance. The orientation of the ridges produces large A waves that propagate into the northern portion of the western SCS basin and stronger B waves that propagate into the southern portion. When traced back in time along linear characteristics, A waves consistently line up close to peak ebb (eastward) barotropic currents, while B waves consistently line up with peak flood (westward) barotropic currents. This reinforces the notion that the lee wave mechanism and associated hydraulic or nonlinear effects are weak, as demonstrated by a simple linear model relating the amplitude of the simulated waves to the excursion parameter at the ridges.