Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Stratified Turbulence: A Possible Interpretation of Some Geophysical Turbulence Measurements

James J. Riley University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

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Erik Lindborg Linné Flow Centre, KTH Mechanics, Stockholm, Sweden

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2008
Collections:
Spontaneous Imbalance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JAS2455.1
Page(s):
2416–2424
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Abstract

Several existing sets of smaller-scale ocean and atmospheric data appear to display Kolmogorov–Obukov–Corrsin inertial ranges in horizontal spectra for length scales up to at least a few hundred meters. It is argued here that these data are inconsistent with the assumptions for these inertial range theories. Instead, it is hypothesized that the dynamics of stratified turbulence explain these data. If valid, these dynamics may also explain the behavior of strongly stratified flows in similar dynamic ranges of other geophysical flows.

Corresponding author address: James Riley, Box 352600, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. Email: rileyj@u.washington.edu

This article included in the Spontaneous Imbalance special collection.

Abstract

Several existing sets of smaller-scale ocean and atmospheric data appear to display Kolmogorov–Obukov–Corrsin inertial ranges in horizontal spectra for length scales up to at least a few hundred meters. It is argued here that these data are inconsistent with the assumptions for these inertial range theories. Instead, it is hypothesized that the dynamics of stratified turbulence explain these data. If valid, these dynamics may also explain the behavior of strongly stratified flows in similar dynamic ranges of other geophysical flows.

Corresponding author address: James Riley, Box 352600, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. Email: rileyj@u.washington.edu

This article included in the Spontaneous Imbalance special collection.

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