Damping of nonlinear magneto-acoustic waves

Nonlinear magneto-acoustic waves in a turbulent plasma are simulated by collisional MHD equations. Damping of these waves due to electrical conductivity arising from micro-instabilities and collisional viscosity are analyzed. Numerical investigation of competing effects due to non-linearity and dissipation has been carried out. It is found that finite amplitude perturbation leads to the formation of a shock in both the slow and the fast mode propagation. Collisional viscosity plays an important role in the damping of nonlinear magneto-acoustic waves in the astrophysical and space plasmas.