Propagation of internal wave energy

Abstract

This bachelor thesis is concerned with the energy propagation of internal waves. The scope of this study is internal waves that reflect on one ridge in an infinitely wide two-dimensional ocean. Upon reflection at the irregular part of the bottom of the ocean, most of an incident internal wave is transmitted, while a small part is returned. Here, the fraction of returned internal wave energy is studied. An exact solution for the fraction of returned internal wave energy is derived and used to evaluate the returned energy numerically. This study shows that small changes in the oceanic background condition lead to big changes in the amount of returned internal wave energy. The majority of the energy, at least 94%, of the reflected internal wave is transmitted.