Dynamics and structure of double-diffusive intrusions

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23740354
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Meteorology/Physical oceanography/Hydrology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: NOGUCHI Takashi 京都大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (10447906)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 混合 / 対流 / 二重拡散対流

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The interior dynamics of the double-diffusive intrusions emerge from a thermohaline front is investigated using numerical simulations, theoretical modelling, and laboratory experiments. In the two-dimensional direct numerical simulations which can explicitly resolve finger and diffusive convections, a reversal of the slope of the intrusions is observed as the compositional density differences across the front increases. These results are also confirmed in the laboratory version of the experiments, which use two sugar and salt stratifications. A mechanistic model of intrusive layers was devised by parameterising small-scale convective transports in terms of large-scale quantities. An attempt of laser scattering observation was also made in the laboratory tank to detect temporal evolution of fingers.

Free Research Field

地球流体力学