GEOMAR  Service  Events

October 22, 2012: FB1-Seminar

Kevin Lamb, University of Waterloo, Canada: "Internal Solitary Waves on the Continental Shelf and their Dissipation Mechanisms"

 11.00-12.00 Hörsaal West:, Düsternbrooker Weg 20

 

Abstract:


Internal solitary-like waves (ISWs) are ubiquitous energetic features of the worlds continental slope/shelf regions. They have a significant impact on the mixing of heat and nutrients, hence playing an important role in biogeochemical processes. In this talk I will present an overview of these waves, discussing observations, theory and numerical simulations. The focus will be on their breaking/dissipation mechanisms including instabilities in the bottom boundary layer beneath ISWs, shear instabilities in the interior of the wave column and breaking due to overturning.