On the local properties of highly nonlinear unsteady gravity water waves. Part 2. Dynamics and onset of breaking

We revisit the classical, but as yet unresolved problem of predicting the breaking onset of 2D and 3D irrotational gravity water waves. This study focuses on domains with flat bottom topography and conditions ranging from deep to intermediate depth (depth to wavelength ratio between 1 and 0.2). Using a fully-nonlinear boundary element model, our initial calculations investigated geometric, kinematic and energetic differences between maximally recurrent and marginally breaking waves in focusing wave groups. Maximallyrecurrent waves are clearly separated from marginally-breaking waves by their energy fluxes localized near the crest region. Specifically, tracking the local ratio of energy flux velocity to crest speed at the crest of the tallest wave in the evolving group provides a robust breaking onset threshold parameter. Warning of imminent breaking onset was found to depend on the strength of breaking, but was detectable only up to half a carrier wave period prior to a breaking event.