A generalized Rayleigh–Taylor condition for the Muskat problem

In this paper we consider the evolution of two fluid phases in a porous medium. The fluids are separated from each other and also the wetting phase from air by interfaces which evolve in time. We reduce the problem to an abstract evolution equation. A generalized Rayleigh–Taylor condition characterizes the parabolicity regime of the problem and allows us to establish a general well-posedness result and to study stability properties of flat steady states. When considering surface tension effects at the interface between the fluids and if the more dense fluid lies above, we find bifurcating finger-shaped equilibria which are all unstable.