Michael Waite

	Michael Waite

Michael Waite (ASP/MMM), investigated the generation of inertia-gravity waves and turbulence by vortices at both small and large geophysical scales.  At small scales: in collaboration with Piotr Smolarkiewicz (MMM), Michael performed numerical experiments with the EULAG model of of a vortex pair in a strongly stratified fluid.  The vortex pair is unstable to both large- (via the zigzag instability) and small-scale perturbations.  This work builds on previous linear studies by examining the nonlinear evolution, transition to turbulence, and generation of gravity waves by the vortices.  In addition, a comparison of EULAG and the spectral transform method was performed.  At large scales: in collaboration with Chris Snyder (MMM), the generation of inertia-gravity waves by a developing baroclinic system was examined using the WRF model.  Michael investigated whether the observed -5/3 spectral slope of kinetic energy can be generated by the fundamental fluid dynamics of the problem, neglecting moisture and topography.  Both studies are aimed at improving our understanding of small-scale unbalanced motion, which is responsible for significant energy dissipation yet is frequently poorly resolved in atmosphere and ocean models.

Funding Sources

This research is supported by the National Science Foundation.