Nonlinear internal gravity waves in a rotating fluid

Abstract

The interaction between internal gravity waves in a rotating frame and the mean flow is discussed for the case when the properties of the mean flow vary slowly on a scale determined by the local wave structure. The principle of conservation of wave action is established. It is shown that the main effect of the waves on the Lagrangian mean velocity is due to an appropriate ‘radiation stress’ tensor. A circulation theorem and a potential-vorticity equation are derived for the mean velocity.