Multiple zonal jets on the polar beta plane

The mechanism of the formation of multiple quasi-zonal jets as well as their meridional scaling is investigated for a range of control parameters including the radius of deformation and the parameter which characterizes the polar β-plane. Flows in a rotating cylindrical domain where the depth of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of fluids (1994) 2012-01, Vol.24 (1), p.016603-016603-15
Main Authors: Slavin, A. G., Afanasyev, Y. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dynamics of the ocean (upper and deep oceans)
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Jets
Parameters
Physics of the oceans
Planetary waves
Scaling
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Summary:The mechanism of the formation of multiple quasi-zonal jets as well as their meridional scaling is investigated for a range of control parameters including the radius of deformation and the parameter which characterizes the polar β-plane. Flows in a rotating cylindrical domain where the depth of the fluid layer varies quadratically with distance from the center are studied using numerical simulations and laboratory experiments. The flows are generated by a spatially localized heater. The westward radiation of barotropic Rossby waves is shown to be a major factor contributing to the formation of jets such that their meridional scaling is in good agreement with a modified Rhines scaling.
ISSN:1070-6631
1089-7666
DOI:10.1063/1.3678017