Constant vorticity geophysical waves with centripetal forces and at arbitrary latitude

TL;DR

This paper investigates three-dimensional geophysical flows with constant vorticity under centripetal forces at arbitrary latitudes, revealing fundamental differences from classical results and showing the absence of bounded solutions or flows with constant vorticity under certain conditions.

Contribution

It provides new theoretical insights into geophysical wave behavior considering centripetal forces, especially highlighting differences from previous models and the non-existence of certain flow solutions.

Findings

No bounded solutions in the $f$-plane approximation.

Flow must be irrotational and flat surface in the $eta$-plane with constant vorticity.

No flows with constant vorticity when surface tension is considered.

Abstract

We consider three-dimensional geophysical flows at arbitrary latitude and with constant vorticity beneath a wave train and above a flat bed in the $\beta$-plane approximation with centripetal forces. We consider the $f$-plane approximation as well as the $\beta$-plane approximation. For the $f$-plane approximation, we prove that there is no bounded solution. For the $\beta$-plane approximation, we show that the flow is necessarily irrotational and the free surface is necessarily flat if it exhibits a constant vorticity. Our results reveal some essential differences from those results in the literature, due to the presence of centripetal forces. Moreover, for the case exhibiting the surface tension, we prove that there are no flows exhibiting constant vorticity.