The turbulent bottom boundary-layer beneath nonlinear internal waves in the ocean

This thesis is an experimental investigation into extreme internal waves in the ocean, which generate some of the strongest currents observed on the continental shelf. The particular focus is the strong near-seabed flow that these waves generate, which is known to dramatically reshape the seabed, and presents a major challenge for offshore engineering design. The novel observational results reveal complex feedback mechanisms between the waves, the turbulence they generate, and the near-bed density stratification. Progress is made towards the predicting the near-bed stratification that controls this near-bed flow, as well as understanding how the turbulence produced affects wave propagation.