• search hit 9 of 17
Back to Result List

Evidence for wind-induced Ekman layer resonance based on rotating tank experiments

  • The temporal variability of wind stress acting on the ocean surface may have a significant impact on the energy transfer between the surface ocean and the abyssal ocean. In particular, the surface ocean layer is expected to deepen when the wind’s frequency matches the inertial (Coriolis) frequency, through “Ekman layer resonance”. Here, we report on laboratory experiments conducted in the large circular rotating tank of the LEGI Coriolis platform (13 m in diameter and 0.5 m in depth) to investigate the effect of oscillating horizontal shear imposed at the water surface. The analysis of the flow structure by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV) reveals a resonant thickening of the top Ekman layer and a marked increase in the kinetic energy of the flow occurs when the forcing frequency coincides with the Coriolis frequency of the rotating tank. The findings are in agreement with the theoretical expectations and constitute evidence for the existence of the Ekman layer resonance (or near inertial resonance) phenomenon in anThe temporal variability of wind stress acting on the ocean surface may have a significant impact on the energy transfer between the surface ocean and the abyssal ocean. In particular, the surface ocean layer is expected to deepen when the wind’s frequency matches the inertial (Coriolis) frequency, through “Ekman layer resonance”. Here, we report on laboratory experiments conducted in the large circular rotating tank of the LEGI Coriolis platform (13 m in diameter and 0.5 m in depth) to investigate the effect of oscillating horizontal shear imposed at the water surface. The analysis of the flow structure by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV) reveals a resonant thickening of the top Ekman layer and a marked increase in the kinetic energy of the flow occurs when the forcing frequency coincides with the Coriolis frequency of the rotating tank. The findings are in agreement with the theoretical expectations and constitute evidence for the existence of the Ekman layer resonance (or near inertial resonance) phenomenon in an ocean-like configuration.show moreshow less

Export metadata

Additional Services

Search Google Scholar
Metadaten
Author: Miklos Vincze, Nora Fenyvesi, Marten KleinORCiD, Joel Sommeria, Samuel Viboud, Yossi Ashkenazy
URL:https://epljournal.edpsciences.org/articles/epl/abs/2019/04/epl19544/epl19544.html
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/125/44001
ISSN:1286-4854
Title of the source (English):EPL : a letters journal exploring the frontiers of physics
Document Type:Scientific journal article peer-reviewed
Language:English
Year of publication:2019
Tag:Boundary Layer; Fluid Dynamics; Resonance; Rotating Flows
Volume/Year:125
Issue number:4
First Page:1
Last Page:7
Article number:44001
Faculty/Chair:Fakultät 3 Maschinenbau, Elektro- und Energiesysteme / FG Numerische Strömungs- und Gasdynamik
Einverstanden ✔
Diese Webseite verwendet technisch erforderliche Session-Cookies. Durch die weitere Nutzung der Webseite stimmen Sie diesem zu. Unsere Datenschutzerklärung finden Sie hier.