Abstract : Our long-term scientific goal is to understand the mechanisms by which mixing occurs in the ocean and thereby help develop improved parameterizations of mixing for ocean models. Mixing within the stratified ocean is our particular focus as the complex interplay of internal waves from a variety of sources and turbulence makes this a current locus of uncertainty. In this study, our broad focus is on the energy sources of nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) in a complex environment of strong internal tides and abrupt topography (continental shelf and slope). We expect a rapid evolution of internal tides and NLIWs, and we aim to understand their dynamics, energy cascade, and role in mixing.