Nonlinear disruption of an internal gravity wave, for example when large displacement gradients overturn the stable density arrangement or strong shear becomes unstable. The resulting turbulence dissipates wave energy and mixes the stratification, limiting ideal geometric focusing.
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Internal wave breaking refers to the phenomenon where internal waves—waves that propagate within the stratified layers of a fluid, such as water—become unstable and break, similar to surface waves breaking on a beach. These internal waves are typically generated by various forces such as tides, wind, or the interaction of currents with topographical features like the ocean floor. Internal waves occur in regions where the density of water varies with depth—commonly seen in the ocean due to temperature and salinity gradients.