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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
06:42
Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
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Diffusion-Free Scaling in Rotating Spherical Rayleigh-Bénard Convection
Guiquan Wang1, Luca Santelli2, Detlef Lohse1,3
1Department of Science and Technology Physics of Fluids Group and Twente Max Planck Center, Mesa+ Institute J. M. Burgers Center for Fluid Dynamics University of Twente Enschede The Netherlands.
Geophysical Research Letters
|July 18, 2022
Summary
Rotating spherical Rayleigh-Bénard convection exhibits three distinct flow regions. The mid-latitude region drives bulk-dominated convection, while high-latitude and equator regions show unique vortex behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Heat Transfer
- Geophysics
Background:
- Spherical Rayleigh-Bénard convection is a fundamental model for astrophysical and geophysical flows.
- Rotation significantly alters convection patterns, leading to complex structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct flow regions in rotating spherical Rayleigh-Bénard convection.
- To identify the origin of diffusion-free scaling indicative of bulk-dominated convection.
Main Methods:
- Direct numerical simulations were performed.
- Analysis focused on three distinct latitudinal regions: high-latitude, mid-latitude, and equator.
Main Results:
- High-latitude: vertical convective columns between spheres.
- Mid-latitude: vertically aligned columns, origin of bulk-dominated convection (diffusion-free scaling).
- Equator: shorter vortices influenced by the outer boundary.
Conclusions:
- Rotating spherical convection is spatially heterogeneous.
- The mid-latitude region is crucial for understanding bulk-dominated heat transport.
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