Phase patterns of dispersive waves from moving localized sources

A general approach is proposed within which the phase structure of wave perturbations caused by a moving localized source can be described based on the wave dispersion law alone. Applying this approach, a simple analytical expression for the phase surfaces is obtained. It is used to study the details of phase patterns of gravity-capillary waves, the structure of wave trains in the ocean in the wake of a moving tropical hurricane, and the system of lee waves in Earth's atmosphere.