In:
Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 78, No. 3 ( 1976-12-07), p. 621-637
Abstract:
A finite-amplitude model of baroclinic instability is studied in the case where the cross-stream scale is large compared with the Rossby deformation radius and the dissipative and advective time scales are of the same order. A theory is developed that describes the nature of the wave field as the shear supercriticality increases beyond the stability threshold of the most unstable cross-stream mode and penetrates regions of higher supercriticality. The set of possible steady nonlinear modes is found analytically. It is shown that the steady cross-stream structure of each finite-amplitude mode is a function of the supercriticality. Integrations of initial-value problems show, in each case, that the final state realized is the state characterized by the finite-amplitude mode with the largest equilibrium amplitude. The approach to this steady state is oscillatory (nonmonotonic). Further, each steady-state mode is a well-defined mixture of linear cross-stream modes.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-1120
,
1469-7645
DOI:
10.1017/S0022112076002644
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
1976
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1472346-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
218334-1
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