Evolution of an Unstable Elongated Eddy

Abstract

Oceanol., CICESE, P.O. Box 4844, San Ysidro, CA 92073, USA J (Journal-Article) Elongated anticyclonic vortices are modeled by the reduced gravity equations: a finite volume of water on top of an inert heavier fluid, with allowance for horizontal divergence and Coriolis effects. Stable eddies experience pulsations in shape and size, rotations of its orientation, and inertial oscillations of their center of mass. In addition to these motions, unstable vortices also have a tendency to sharpen in the extremes; a process that might lead to filament formation, as the nondivergent case does ASFA 2: Ocean Technology, Policy and Non Living Resources (Q2) 2328672 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Record 1194 of 1621 - ASFA 1988-1996