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An equatorial boundary layer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

J. M. Dowden
J. M. Dowden
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of Essex, Colchester
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Abstract

The singularity of the Ekman layer at the equator of a rotating gravitating sphere makes it difficult to satisfy a prescribed stress boundary condition at the surface of a layer of liquid on the sphere. The equations of motion are investigated for a homogeneous ocean with vertical and lateral eddy viscosities. The horizontal Coriolis terms are not neglected. A linear equation for the boundary layer is obtained and a solution of the equation for the boundary-layer part of the velocity field is found in closed form. This is valid in a parameter range which includes the previous solutions of Stewartson and Gill as limiting cases.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , 28 November 1972 , pp. 193 - 200
Copyright
© 1972 Cambridge University Press

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References

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