On the Stability of Two-Layered Large-Amplitude Geostrophic Flows with Thin Upper Layer

Eugene S. Benilov, Benoit Cushman-Roisin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We examine the stability of two-layer geostrophic flows with large displacement of the interface. The depth of the upper layer is assumed much smaller than the total depth of the fluid. It is proven that all westward and weak eastward flows are stable with respect to disturbances whose wavelengths is of the order of, or longer than the width of the flow. It is further demonstrated that westward flows are (locally) unstable with respect to short disturbances.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-41
Number of pages13
JournalGeophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Volume76
Issue number1-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • baroclinic instability
  • geostrophic flows
  • β-plane

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