Limiting form of internal waves

C. J. Amick, J. F. Toland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review


The bifurcation of two-dimensional internal solitary waves in a perfect density stratified fluid between horizontal walls under gravity is studied near to a point of incipient eddy formation. It is shown that eddies do not attach to the walls. Moreover, along the bifurcating branch there is always a flow with a singular cusped streamline before the formation of eddies. Two examples are given where the primary density stratification ensures the existence of a limiting wave of depression in one case, and of elevation in the other.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)329-344
Number of pages16
JournalProceedings of The Royal Society of London, Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Issue number1807
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1984

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mathematics(all)
  • Engineering(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)


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