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For the state vector $q=(h,u,g^{\prime }{)}^T$, the primitive equations are $q_t+\mathsf{A}{q}_x=S$, withThe characteristic polynomial isConsequently the three characteristic speeds areFor $h>0$ and $g^{\prime }>0$, the hyperbolic system has three distinct real eigenvalues. The long-wave speed relative to the current is $c$, while $u$ transports a buoyancy/contact disturbance.

A left eigenvector for the material characteristic is $(0,0,1)$, givingFor $u\pm c$, left eigenvectors can be chosen asMultiplying $q_t+\mathsf{A}{q}_x=S$ by these rows gives the characteristic compatibility for an entraining triangular-channel current. With all differentials evaluated along the indicated characteristic,The source follows directly from ${\ell }_{\pm }S=-2u{w}_e/h\pm 2c{w}_e/h\mp 2g^{\prime }{w}_e/(3c)$ and $g^{\prime }/c=2c/h$.

Since $4dc=(2c/h)dh+(h/c)d{g}^{\prime }$, an equivalent form isCombining it with the material buoyancy equation also givesOnly when entrainment vanishes and $g^{\prime }$ is spatially constant do $u\pm 4c$ become constant Riemann invariants on these characteristic curves. Dropping the buoyancy differential in the general problem would lose one of the required transport couplings. The characteristic formulas with $1/c$ apply to the nondegenerate region $g^{\prime }h>0$; dry or neutrally buoyant limits require their conservative form instead.