69th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 20, 2016 — November 22, 2016)

P0028: Turbulent Horizontal Convection at High Prandtl Numbers

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Authors

• Pierre-Yves Passaggia, Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
• Matthew Hurley, Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
• Brian White, Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
• Alberto Scotti, Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2016.GFM.P0028

These images show the dynamic and complex circulation process that throttles the network of currents around the world's ocean, also known as the meridional overturning circulation. This phenomena is found, for instance, at the North Pole where the cold and salty brine sinks under the influence of freezing at the surface of the ocean during the winter. This massive release of brine leads to an underwater waterfall of salty water that sinks until the ocean's bottom. It becomes a deep water current that enventually upwells along continental shelves. The understanding of these dynamics is crucial for the modeling of ocean circulation and accurately forecasting the effects of global warming on the oceans' climate.