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Velocity extrema in ocean gyre flows

Constantin, O. LU and Persson, A. M. LU (2025) In Nonlinear Analysis: Real World Applications 81.
Abstract

Ocean gyres are modelled by the two-dimensional vorticity equation for inviscid flow on a rotating sphere, since their flow is governed by the tangential velocity components, whereas the vertical velocity component is negligible. From the vorticity equation we derive nonlinear elliptic equations for the square of the meridional velocity component as well as for the azimuthal velocity component. Using maximum principles we then show that, under suitable conditions on the oceanic vorticity, the velocity extrema are attained on the boundary of a subtropical gyre located in the zonal band between 15 and 45 Northern, respectively Southern latitude, where the five major gyres are found.

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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Maxim principles, Nonlinear elliptic equations, Ocean gyre
in
Nonlinear Analysis: Real World Applications
volume
81
article number
104206
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85203410372
ISSN
1468-1218
DOI
10.1016/j.nonrwa.2024.104206
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
00189a39-d5c3-459c-847d-bc734b6815eb
date added to LUP
2024-11-13 15:25:16
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:18:38
@article{00189a39-d5c3-459c-847d-bc734b6815eb,
  abstract     = {{<p>Ocean gyres are modelled by the two-dimensional vorticity equation for inviscid flow on a rotating sphere, since their flow is governed by the tangential velocity components, whereas the vertical velocity component is negligible. From the vorticity equation we derive nonlinear elliptic equations for the square of the meridional velocity component as well as for the azimuthal velocity component. Using maximum principles we then show that, under suitable conditions on the oceanic vorticity, the velocity extrema are attained on the boundary of a subtropical gyre located in the zonal band between 15<sup>∘</sup> and 45<sup>∘</sup> Northern, respectively Southern latitude, where the five major gyres are found.</p>}},
  author       = {{Constantin, O. and Persson, A. M.}},
  issn         = {{1468-1218}},
  keywords     = {{Maxim principles; Nonlinear elliptic equations; Ocean gyre}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Nonlinear Analysis: Real World Applications}},
  title        = {{Velocity extrema in ocean gyre flows}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nonrwa.2024.104206}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.nonrwa.2024.104206}},
  volume       = {{81}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}