Formation of Ocean Surface Patterns by Cetacean Fluke Oscillations
Document Type
Book Chapter
Department
Mathematics (HMC)
Publication Date
2012
Abstract
This paper presents a theory describing the fluid mechanics of whale flukeprints. It contains excerpts of a longer paper recently published in the International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics special issue on biological structures. Whale flukeprints are smooth oval-shaped water patches that form on the surface of the ocean behind a swimming or diving whale. The prints persist up to several minutes and can be used to track whales cruising near the ocean surface. The motion of the fluke provides a mechanism for shedding vortex rings. The subsequent interaction of the vortex ring with the ocean surface damps the short wavelength capillary waves in the print. The theory suggests that the role of natural surfactants are of secondary importance in the early formation of flukeprints. We describe potential directions for future research, including collection of quantitative data from real flukeprints.
Rights Information
© 2012 Springer
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4614-3997-4_11
Recommended Citation
Levy, Rachel and Uminsky, David, "Formation of Ocean Surface Patterns by Cetacean Fluke Oscillations" (2012). All HMC Faculty Publications and Research. 625.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/hmc_fac_pub/625
