Anomalous vortex motion induced by asymmetric vorticity distribution in rapidly rotating thermal convection
Abstract
In rotating Rayleigh-B\'enard convection, columnar vortices advect horizontally in a stochastic manner. When the centrifugal buoyancy is present the vortices exhibit radial motions that can be explained through a Langevin-type stochastic model. Surprisingly, anomalous outward motion of cyclones is observed in a centrifugation-dominant flow regime, which is contrary to the well-known centrifugal effect. We interpret this phenomenon as a symmetry-breaking of both the population and vorticity magnitude of the vortices brought about by the centrifugal buoyancy. Consequently, the cyclones submit to the collective vortex motion dominated by the strong anticyclones. Our study provides new understanding of vortex motions that are widely present in many natural systems.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1906.01325,
title = {Anomalous vortex motion induced by asymmetric vorticity distribution in rapidly rotating thermal convection},
author = {Shan-Shan Ding and Kai Leong Chong and Jun-Qiang Shi and Guang-Yu Ding and Hao-Yuan Lu and Ke-Qing Xia and Jin-Qiang Zhong},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1906.01325},
year = {2019}
}