The incidence of internal waves onto a thin submerged barrier

Abstract

The problem of oblique incidence of internal ocean waves on a thin submerged ocean barrier is considered when the ocean has exponential density stratification. A Wiener-Hopf approach is used combined with numerical evaluation of series. Results for the reflected energy are obtained and reveal a complex dependence on incidence and barrier height. Application of this model to waves incident on the Mid-Atlantic ridge suggests that the ridge almosts isolates first mode energy on one side of the ocean from the other side. In certain circumstances there, is a surprising appearance of “barrier” waves. These waves are closely confined to the barrier and propagate along it.