This article is cited in 117 papers

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS

Quasi-two-dimensional turbulence

S. D. Danilov^a, D. Gurarie<sup>b

a</sup> A. M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences
^b Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Abstract: We review the results of numerical and experimental studies in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) turbulence. We demonstrate that theoretical energy spectra with slopes –5/3 and –3 (Kraichnan – Batchelor – Leith) can be observed only for a special set of external parameters. The bottom drag, beta effect, finite Rossby – Obukhov radius or vertical stratification, which distinguish geophysical Q2D turbulence from its purely 2D counterpart, determine the organization of a Q2D flow on a large scale. Since the spectral energy flux in 2D turbulence is directed upscale, the bottom friction takes on a special role. In the absence of bottom drag the energy condenses on the largest resolvable scale and flow equilibration is not attained.

PACS: 47.27.Ak, 47.27.Eq, 92.10.-c, 92.90.+x

Received: May 22, 2000

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0170.200009a.0921

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 2000, 43:9, 863–900

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