Holistic Map of Internal Solitary Waves Propagating Through Background Currents

Abstract Recent studies have shown that background currents deeply affect Internal Solitary Waves (ISWs) behavior as they propagate in the stratified coastal oceans. Shear currents, in particular, are observed to significantly impact waves geometry and their kinematics. By building upon a fully non-linear theoretical model for a two-layer configuration, we investigate features of all possible ISWs propagating through a background shear current. We then implement an analytical procedure and a corresponding graphical map , capable of revealing the background current intensity associated with specific ISWs features. With the increasing availability of solitary wave properties derived from satellite imagery, this study can serve as a valuable resource for advancing research in coastal ocean dynamics.