Refined wave breaking for the generalized Fornberg-Whitham equation

Abstract

This paper considers a class of non-local equations that are weakly dispersive perturbations of the inviscid Burgers equation, which includes the Fornberg-Whitham equation as a special case. We precise the known results on finite time blow-up (shock formation) by constructing a blowup solution which displays a `shock-like' singularity (called wave breaking) at one single point. Moreover, this solution converges asymptotically in the self-similar variables to a stable self-similar solution of the inviscid Burgers equation, and also possesses a H\"{o}lder $C^{1/3}$ regularity at the blowup point.