Nonlinear dispersion in wave-current interactions

Abstract

Via a sequence of approximations of the Lagrangian in Hamilton's principle for dispersive nonlinear gravity waves we derive a hierarchy of Hamiltonian models for describing wave-current interaction (WCI) in nonlinear dispersive wave dynamics on free surfaces. A subclass of these WCI Hamiltonians admits emergent singular solutions for certain initial conditions. These singular solutions are identified with a singular momentum map for left action of the diffeomorphisms on a semidirect-product Lie algebra. This semidirectproduct Lie algebra comprises vector fields representing horizontal current velocity acting on scalar functions representing wave elevation. We use computational simulations to demonstrate the dynamical interactions of the emergent wavefront trains which are admitted by this special subclass of Hamiltonians for a variety of initial conditions.In particular, we investigate:(1) A variety of localised initial current configurations in still water whose subsequent propagation generates surface-elevation dynamics on an initially flat surface; and(2) The release of initially confined configurations of surface elevation in still water that generate dynamically interacting fronts of localised currents and wave trains. The results of these simulations show intricate wave-current interaction patterns whose structures are similar to those seen, for example, in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images taken from the space shuttle.