Generation of the Vortex Movement in the Atmosphere due to Gravity Inhomogeneities

Abstract

One possible mechanism for the effect of gravity-field inhomogeneities (GFIs) on the atmosphere dynamics has been investigated theoretically. It is shown that the vertical heat exchange in an air layer in an inhomogeneous gravity field can disrupt the state of hydrostatic equilibrium and lead to the generation of vortex flows. Estimates of the amplitude of velocity perturbations are made on the basis of a linear stationary hydrodynamic model that takes planetary rotation into account. The magnitude of the vortex component of the velocity can reach values on the order of the product of the buoyancy frequency and amplitude of the geoid deviations. The amplitude of the emerging vertical motions, in addition to the parameters mentioned, also depends on the intensity of the turbulent exchange and horizontal scales of the inhomogeneities.