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A note on solitary waves along potential vorticity fronts on anf-plane

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Abstract

The effects of short waves on the propagration of velocity discontinuity along the interface of two uniform potential vorticity, zones on anf-plane is examined. It is shown, using a multiple scale analysis, that the dispersion introduced by the short waves can balance the nonlinear steepening effects predicted by the semigeostrophic theory. The time evolution of a shear disturbance along the front is governed by a Korteweg-de Vries equation. Numerical solutions of the solitary waves along the front are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, Texas, USA

    Ping Chang

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  1. Ping Chang
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Chang, P. A note on solitary waves along potential vorticity fronts on anf-plane. J Oceanogr 49, 477–489 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02237456

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02237456

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