Suspended discontinuities in the field of two-dimensional internal waves

Using various shadow methods of visualization for a stratified flow near a horizontal cylinder towed with constant velocity, a new structural element of the flow, namely, the isolated high-gradient interlayers in the field of attached internal waves, is identified. In their basic characteristic features, these layers may be viewed as those belonging to the class of inner boundary layers which are the prevalent mechanism for formation of the fine structure of a continuously stratified medium. The data on optical visualization are confirmed by direct measurements of the electrical conductivity.