Numerical study on the polarity change process during internal wave shoaling

Abstract

Polarity change is an important mechanism for internal waves shoaling. In this study, a numerical model for simulating the real-scale internal wave passing over slope-shelf topography is established based on the Fourier pseudo-spectral method and weakly nonlinear theory. By numerical simulation, the effects of shelf height, initial wave amplitude, and inclination angle on the waveform characteristics and energy properties of the internal wave during its shoaling are investigated. In the polarity change process, the initial internal wave converts into a depression wave and a generated elevation wave behind it. The distance between the peak of the elevation wave and the trough of the depression wave is a key feature to describe the polarity change. In terms of energy properties, the energy ratio of depression and generated elevation waves compared with the initial wave as well as their relative magnitude is mainly determined by the shelf height. In addition, the initial wave amplitude also affects the generation of the elevation wave and the attenuation of the depression wave to a certain extent. The increase in the inclination angle hinders the formation of the elevation wave but has little effect on the depression wave energy.