The generation of internal waves by tidal flow over continental shelf/slope topography

Experiments were performed to investigate the generation of internal waves induced by a barotropic tidal flow over continental shelf/slope topography in a two-layer stratified fluid. The interaction of the barotropic tide with the continental slope resulted in the formation of both linear and nonlinear waveforms, ranging from a linear wave of depression to a highly nonlinear internal bolus. The type of wave response was strongly dependent on the tidal forcing intensity and the position of the density interface relative to the shelf depth. Based on the values of the internal Froude number and the layer depth ratio, we delineate four distinct generation regimes, each with a distinct wave response.