Hobart

Seminar Abstract

Friday 16 May 2008, 11.30am (Tas time)
CSIRO Auditorium, Hobart

Andy Hogg
Fellow Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Earth Physics
Research School of Earth Sciences
ANU

Forward energy cascade of geostrophic turbulence via topographic interaction

Wind stress and buoyancy forcing inputs kinetic and available potential energy to the ocean at relatively large and "balanced" scales. It has been proposed that this energy might cascade to small scales where it can contribute to the mixing of the ocean. Estimates of the associated rates would place this mechanism alongside the winds and tides in its importance to mixing. However, the mechanism of dissipation of energy from mesoscale, or “balanced” flow is unclear. We propose that topography is central to the transfer of energy from balanced to unbalanced flows. In support of this conjecture, we describe high resolution numerical calculations and analytical considerations, which show a new mechanism for instability that should be active near topography in the ocean, providing a sink of energy for mesoscale vortices and a source of energy for ocean mixing.

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Location:
CSIRO = Marine Laboratories Auditorium, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

For further information, or to schedule a seminar, contact:
To schedule a seminar, contact:
Bernadette Sloyan, (Oceanographic seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5152
Thomas Kunz, (Biological seminars) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
(03) 6232 5076
Natalie Dowling, (Fisheries Modelling) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
(03) 6232 5148
Jillian Enraght-Moony, (seminar administrator) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (03) 6232 5320
Communications Manager, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC (03) 6226 2265
Margaret Hazelwood, Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) University of Tasmania (03) 6226 2971

Last updated 21/07/09