A new climate model study revealed how massive internal waves are formed within the depths of the ocean.
The hidden waves, also called as internal waves, are most commonly noticed between the waters of the Taiwan and Philippines, particularly in the Luzon Strait. Internal waves seen in this area measure up to 550 feet (170 meters) tall. However, these giant waves rarely reach the surface, making the waters safe for those who are passing by.
Matthieu Mercier, lead author of the study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), created a model of the Luzon Strait seafloor using a 50-foot diameter wave tank. The model was built with different layers of water with varying salt content, to demonstrate the internal waves' inherent ability to traverse along different layers of water within the ocean.
The model demonstrated the spacing between the two submerged seafloor ridges in the Luzon Strait as it created a perfect spot for the formation of the massive internal waves. The model also reflected that the internal waves are created when tidal waves move the heavy bottom water towards the seafloor ridges, causing an imbalance called a standing wave. Researchers noted that the strait's entire double-ridge seafloor is responsible for these internal waves, not the high mountains in the ridges as was previously theorized.
According to mechanical engineer from the MIT, Thomas Peacock, understanding the formation of these waves is imperative for coming up with a model of the Earth's climate. These waves might play a huge part in distributing the ocean's nutrients, salt, and heat throughout different depths of water.
"It's an important missing piece of the puzzle in climate modeling. Right now, global climate models are not able to capture these processes," Peacock said to LiveScience.com.
Scientists are postulating that the internal waves play a vital role in mixing up the different water layers in the ocean. One key task that they are responsible for is removing the heat from shallower waters.
The study was published in the online journal Geophysical Research Letters.
