Beta spiral: Difference between revisions
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In [[oceanography]], the turning of the current vector that arises from stratified [[geostrophic flow|geostrophic flow]] when [[density]] is conserved following a [[parcel]] (as is approximately the case in the oceanic [[thermocline]]).<br/> If θ is the angle of the current, ''U'' is its magnitude, ''f'' is the [[Coriolis parameter]], ''g'' is the gravitational [[acceleration]], and ''w'' is the [[vertical velocity]], then ∂θ/∂''z'' = -(''gw''/''f''''U''<sup>2</sup>)(∂ρ/∂''z''), so that moving upward in the water column, currents will spiral clockwise in [[upwelling]] zones, and counterclockwise in [[downwelling]] zones. | |||
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Latest revision as of 22:04, 13 January 2024
In oceanography, the turning of the current vector that arises from stratified geostrophic flow when density is conserved following a parcel (as is approximately the case in the oceanic thermocline).
If θ is the angle of the current, U is its magnitude, f is the Coriolis parameter, g is the gravitational acceleration, and w is the vertical velocity, then ∂θ/∂z = -(gw/f'U2)(∂ρ/∂z), so that moving upward in the water column, currents will spiral clockwise in upwelling zones, and counterclockwise in downwelling zones.
