An Experimental Study on the Internal Structure of Baroclinic Waves in a Rotating Annulus : Part II. Dynamical Structure

Abstract

Dynamical structure of baroclinic waves are analysed under quasi-geostrophic assumptions.
Except for regions near walls, following characteristics are observed.
(1) The maxima of the amplitude of the pressure perturbation are both in the uppermost and the bottom layers, with its minimum around the middle layer.
(2) The phase of the pressure perturbation retards with height (opposite to the direction of the container's rotation).
(3) The vertical motion shows its maximum amplitude around (but a little below) the middle height, while its phase remains almost unchanged (but slightly tending to advance) with height.
(4) Waves transport heat principally through the uppermost layer. These characteristics are similar to that of the wave of Eady type. Apart from the Eady type waves, another type of waves suggested by Green seems to develop in the bottom layer.