NONLINEAR INTERNAL WAVES IN IDEAL ROTATING BASINS

Starting from Euler's equations of motion a nonlinear model for intern al waves in fluids is developed by an appropriate scaling and a vertic al integration over two layers of different but constant density. The model allows the barotropic and the first baroclinic mode to be calcul ated. In addition to the nonlinear advective terms dispersion and Cori olis force due to the Earth's rotation are taken into account. The mod el equations are solved numerically by an implicit finite difference s cheme. In this paper we discuss the results for ideal basins: the effe cts of nonlinear terms, dispersion and Coriolis force, the mechanism o f wind forcing, the evolution of Kelvin waves and the corresponding tr ansport of particles and, finally, wave propagation over variable topo graphy. First applications to Lake Constance are shown, but a detailed analysis is deferred to a second paper [Bauer er nl. (1994)].