Oscillatory propagation of an ionization-shock front

Based on numerical simulations, we show that the oscillatory propagation of a plane-parallel ionization-shock front is possible for a typical dependence of the interstellar-medium cooling function on density and temperature. In this case, the oscillation amplitude of the shock position in the presence of an ionization front can be several times larger than its value for a single shock wave. The variations in neutral and ionized gas velocities attributable to oscillations are comparable in order of magnitude and agree with the random velocities observed in H II regions.