Objective detection of rotationally coherent vortices

Abstract:

The detection, and forecasting, of ocean vortices is important in the field of geophysical fluid dynamics as these eddies tend to play a major role in the underlying flow dynamics of the ocean. We approach the issue of ocean eddy identification from a rotational-coherence basis via the identification of elliptic Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs), and seek the boundaries of rotationally coherent Lagrangian vortices, which are formed by tubes of deforming fluid elements that complete equal bulk material rotation relative to the mean rotation of the deforming fluid volume.

Sophie Calabretto is a Lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Macquarie University. Her research in fluid dynamics seeks to understand and predict the behaviour of rotating fluids, exploring fundamental questions in fluid physics, with the potential to impact fields as diverse as aerodynamics and climate science.

This seminar is presented by Mathematics for Planet Earth, a new research intitative hosted by the School of Mathematics and Statistics. All welcome.