Deep two-dimensional turbulence: An idealized model for atmospheric jets of the giant outer planets

Abstract

The present paper proposes a new type of two–dimensional turbulence with a deep configuration as an idealization of the dynamics of the global circulations of the Jovian atmospheres under the constraint of the Taylor–Proudman theorem. A major difference of the deep two-dimensional turbulence from a standard shallow version is that the former reverses the sign of the planetary β-effect, leading to an opposite sign for the equatorial jet under the homogenization tendency of the potential vorticity. As a result, a westerly (prograde) equatorial jet is generated, which contrasts with the easterly (retrograde) equatorial jet obtained using the shallow configuration. The results suggest that the zonal flows of Jupiter and Saturn are probably of deep origin, whereas those of Uranus and Neptune are likely to be of shallow origin.