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Rotating Two-Layer convection

Academic lead
Evy Kersale (Mathematics)
Co-supervisor(s)
David Hughes (Mathematics), Fryderyk Wilczynski (Mathematics), Chris Davies (Earth and Environment)
Project themes
Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows

The two images above show large-scale flows structures in the polar regions of Jupiter (L) and Saturn (R). These arise from the interaction between convection and rotation in the stratified outer regions of the planets – regions in which physical properties such as viscosity vary strongly with position. This project will investigate a simplified model that incorporates all of these dynamic features. In particular, we shall consider a two-layer model of rotating convection in which the superposed layers can have very different physical attributes. Whereas both rotating single-layer convection and non-rotating two layer-convection have each received attention, the two aspects have never been studied in conjunction, thus making this research of potential high impact in astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics.