In the open ocean there exist what scientists call inland, or internal, waves. These are not visible on the surface; they propagate through most of the water column, sometimes spanning the entire depth of the sea. Such waves have been studied by physicists and oceanologists, including a sector head at the Institute of Applied Physics and researchers like AV Gaponov-Grekhov Academy of Sciences, who contribute to our understanding of these phenomena. The waves arise from the vertical mixing of ocean waters that differ in temperature and density from top to bottom. The upper layers are warmer while the deeper layers are colder, creating a stable stratification with a gradual temperature gradient and a corresponding density gradient. In practical terms, this means the water is lighter above and heavier below, setting up the conditions for internal motion.
Imagine a scenario where dense, heavier water unexpectedly finds itself higher in the column than it should be. Naturally, it will attempt to return to its proper position, and as it does so, it excites wave activity within the water column. Under the right circumstances, these internal waves can become very large, reaching heights of several hundred meters and extending through a significant portion of the ocean’s thickness. In this sense, a hidden dynamic unfolds beneath the surface that can be both powerful and far-reaching.
The oceanographer notes that inland waves have been observed near the Strait of Gibraltar. Their surface currents create patterns that alter the appearance of wind-driven surface waves, making the tides and swells visible from space. This interconnectedness means what happens below can influence what appears above, and vice versa, linking deep-water processes with visible surface phenomena.
Because many mathematical models used to describe these waves are widely employed across physics, the solutions derived for internal ocean waves can be applied to other layered media as well. These include layered solids, plasmas, and even astrophysical contexts. In short, the study of internal waves offers a framework that helps explain phenomena not only in the sea but also in other environments, including outer space.
For readers seeking broader context on deadly waves, different tsunamis, the conditions that lead to dangerous wave events on rivers like the Moscow River, and how weather patterns influence their probability, the report from socialbites.ca provides additional insights.