Numerical Simulation of Shoaling Internal Solitary Waves in Two-layer Fluid Flow

Abstract

In this paper, we look at the propagation of internal solitary waves over
three different types of slowly varying region, i.e. a slowly increasing slope, a smooth
bump and a parabolic mound in a two-layer fluid flow. The appropriate mathematical
model for this problem is the variable-coefficient extended Korteweg-de Vries equation.
The governing equation is then solved numerically using the method of lines. Our
numerical simulations show that the internal solitary waves deforms adiabatically on
the slowly increasing slope. At the same time, a trailing shelf is generated as the
internal solitary wave propagates over the slope, which would then decompose into
secondary solitary waves or a wavetrain. On the other hand, when internal solitary
waves propagate over a smooth bump or a parabolic mound, a trailing shelf of negative
polarity would be generated as the results of the interaction of the internal solitary
wave with the decreasing slope of the bump or the parabolic mound. The secondary
solitary waves is observed to be climbing the negative trailing shelf.