Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-g5fl4 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-29T17:32:39.927Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A simple laboratory model for the oceanic circulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

J. Pedlosky  and
H. P. Greenspan
J. Pedlosky
Affiliation:
Mathematics Department M.I.T.
H. P. Greenspan
Affiliation:
Mathematics Department M.I.T.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A linear theory is developed for the motion of a viscous, incompressible fluid in a rotating cylinder with a sloping bottom.

An analysis of the normal modes of oscillation reveals that the presence of the bottom slope introduces a new set of low frequency inertial oscillations to replace the purely geostrophic modes which are not allowed in this geometry. The new waves possess mean circulation and are the mechanism by which the fluid adjusts to changes in the rotation rate of the container, a process discussed in detail.

The steady motion produced in the cylinder when the cylinder's upper surface rotates at a different rate than the bottom surface is studied. It is shown that the presence of the bottom slope inhibits the steady fluid motion in the body of the cylinder and introduces a non-symmetric, high velocity side wall boundary layer.

Experimental evidence, presented to validate the theory, reproduces certain important features of the oceanic circulation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , 2 February 1967 , pp. 291 - 304
Copyright
© 1967 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Greenspan, H. P. & Howard, L. N. 1963 On a time-dependent motion of a rotating fluid J. Fluid Mech. 17, 385.Google Scholar
Greenspan, H. P. 1965 On the general theory of contained rotating fluid motions J. Fluid Mech. 22, 449.Google Scholar
LONGUET-HIGGINS, M. S. 1965 Planetary waves on a rotating sphere. II Proc. Roy. Soc. A 284, 40.Google Scholar
Munk, W. H. & Carrier, G. F. 1950 The wind-driven circulation in ocean basins of various shapes Tellus 2, 158.Google Scholar
Pedlosky, J. 1965 A study of the time dependent ocean circulation J. Atmos. Sci. 22, no. 4, 267.Google Scholar
Rossby, C. G. 1939 Relation between variations in the intensity of the zonal circulation of the atmosphere and the displacements of the semi-permanent centers of action J. Marine Res. 2, 38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar