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Amplification and decay of long nonlinear waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

S. Leibovich
Affiliation:
Upson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
J. D. Randall
Affiliation:
Upson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

Abstract

The interaction of weakly nonlinear waves with slowly varying boundaries is considered. Special emphasis is given to rotating fluids, but the analysis applies with minor modifications to waves in stratified fluids and shallow-water aves. An asymptotic solution of a variant of the Korteweg–de Vries equation with variable coefficients is developed that produces a ‘Green's law’ for the amplification of waves of finite amplitude. For shallow-water waves in water of variable depth, the result predicts wave growth proportional to the $-\frac{1}{3}$ power of the depth.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1973 Cambridge University Press

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