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Title

Freak waves in crossing seas

Author(s)

Onorato, M.;  Proment, D.;  Toffoli, A.

Abstract

We consider the modulational instability in crossing seas as a potential mechanism for the formation of freak waves. The problem is discussed in terms of a system of two coupled Nonlinear Schröedinger equations. The asymptotic validity of such system is discussed. For some specific angles between the two wave trains, the equations reduce to an integrable system. A stability analysis of these equations is discussed. Furthermore, we present an analytical study of the maximum amplification factor for an unstable plane wave solution. Results indicate that angles between 10° and 30° are the most probable for establishing a freak wave sea. We show that the theoretical expectations are consistent with numerical simulations of the Euler equations.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology

Source

European Physical Journal: Special Topics, Vol. 185, no. 1 (Jul 2010), pp. 45-55

Publication year

2010

FOR Code(s)

01 Mathematical Sciences;  02 Physical Sciences

Keyword(s)

Crossing seas;  Freak waves

Publisher

Springer

ISSN

1951-6355

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2010-01237-8

Copyright

Copyright © 2010 EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag. The accepted manuscript of the paper is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. The definitive version of the publication is available at www.springer.com.

Research Projects

Oceanic conditions within extreme tropical cyclones, Australian Research Council grant number LP0883888

Full text

Peer reviewed