Energy transport in a nonlinear and inhomogeneous random gravity wave field

Abstract

Certain tertiary resonant interactions of gravity waves which have been found previously can be obtained more easily by using a simple extension of Whitham's formalism. The contribution of these interactions to the total energy transfer in an inhomogeneous random field of gravity waves is calculated. It is found to be small for open-ocean waves, but to be of some importance for shallow-water waves, where topography or mean shear currents may produce strong inhomogeneities. The nonlinear splitting of the group velocity is found to be unimportant in wave fields with sufficiently smooth spectra.