On the dynamics of internal waves interacting with the equatorial undercurrent

TL;DR

This paper investigates how nonlinear internal waves interact with the equatorial undercurrent, showing that nonzero vorticity outside the wave layer does not influence wave dynamics, with the system modeled as Hamiltonian.

Contribution

It introduces a Hamiltonian formulation for internal wave interaction with a specific nonuniform current characteristic of the equatorial undercurrent, highlighting the effect of vorticity.

Findings

Nonzero vorticity outside the wave layer does not affect wave motion.

The equations of motion are formulated as a Hamiltonian system.

Internal wave dynamics are unaffected by vorticity in other layers.

Abstract

The interaction of the nonlinear internal waves with a nonuniform current with a specific form, characteristic for the equatorial undercurrent, is studied. The current has no vorticity in the layer, where the internal wave motion takes place. We show that the nonzero vorticity that might be occuring in other layers of the current does not affect the wave motion. The equations of motion are formulated as a Hamiltonian system.