The results suggest that large-scale storms striking an Arctic Ocean with decreasing ice cover can transmit internal waves to depth. Waves of large horizontal wavelength (much larger than the staircase depth) such as those induced by storms can travel through the entire staircase, whereas small-wavelength waves such as those generated by squalls cannot.

He found that wave transmission depends on the horizontal wavelength of the waves relative to the total depth of the staircase. This is a more realistic representation of the Arctic density staircases, which are characterized by several jumps in ocean temperature and salinity. Sutherland investigated propagation across an arbitrary number of layers separated by sharp jumps in density.

Theoretical studies of internal-wave propagation down through multiple density layers of water generally involve only a few layers. Using analytical and numerical tools, Bruce Sutherland from the University of Alberta, Canada, has now examined internal-wave transmission through an Arctic-like density staircase.

Understanding how far these waves travel vertically downward through “density staircases” of water, such as those found in the Arctic Ocean, would help researchers figure out whether they have a role in ice melting: if the waves can descend such staircases, they could drive warmer water to the surface and accelerate the melting. Internal waves within the ocean, which form between water masses of different density, have an influence on ocean and climate dynamics.

Waves complete v9 review