Open AccessOn the Vanishing of the Interfacial Ekman Layer
Author(s) -
Achim Wirth
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of physical oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.706
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1520-0485
pISSN - 0022-3670
DOI - 10.1175/jpo-d-10-05002.1
Subject(s) - ekman layer , ekman transport , ekman number , prandtl number , inertial wave , physics , ocean dynamics , mixed layer , layer (electronics) , mechanics , inertial frame of reference , geology , classical mechanics , meteorology , materials science , boundary layer , convection , climatology , ocean current , oceanography , optics , mechanical wave , longitudinal wave , upwelling , wave propagation , composite material
International audienceIt is shown that an interfacial Ekman layer between two water masses of different density vanishes in time for all Prandtl number 0 < Pr < \infty , demonstrating that an interfacial Ekman layer is a transient phenomena and the interface broadens in a way approaching geostrophy. For Pr = 0, undamped inertial oscillations spread away from the interface, and the case Pr 5= \infty represents the classical Ekman layer