Internal solitons in the sea: Experimental data

Abstract

Results of two comprehensive internal wave experiments carried out at the shelf edge in the mid-atlantic bight (JUSREX-92 and SWARM-95) are analyzed. Evidence of soliton features of the observed intense internal waves are discussed with special attention to the propagation speed and amplitude dispersion of solitons. A method for estimation of phase velocity of internal waves by analysis of time/depth variations of three current velocity components is proposed. Specific distortion of the orbital velocity field in internal waves propagating against the background shear current is discussed (ldquoshear contaminationrdquo effect).