ABSTRACT
Geophysical turbulence differs from the traditional turbulence inherent in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics by scales, energy, rotation, and stratification. One of the most common generation mechanisms of geophysical turbulence is energy transfer in stratified and rotating flow. An important role in the development of geophysical turbulence plays the Coriolis force and the centrifugal force. Large-scale vortex dynamo and transport processes (advection and diffusion) are also distinguishing attributes of geophysical turbulent flows. In real world, geophysical turbulence is caused by a number of internal dynamical factors associated with nonstationary (or thermohydrodynamic) conditions and/or time-dependent fluctuations of physical parameters (e.g., density or temperature). Specifically, in the ocean-atmosphere system, geophysical turbulence phenomena are mostly associated with wave kinematics, wave breaking, wind and/or buoyancy forces. Over the past several decades, remote sensing observations have occasionally delivered incredible imaging datasets that give us an unprecedented global view into geophysical turbulence over broad ranges in spatial and temporal scales.
