Model Overview

QGYBJ+.jl simulates the interaction between mesoscale eddies and near-inertial waves.

The Two Components

ComponentVariableScaleDynamics
Eddiesψ (streamfunction)50-200 km, weeksAdvection of PV
WavesB (wave envelope)10-50 km, hoursAdvection + refraction

Interactions: Eddies refract waves (focusing in anticyclones); waves feed energy back to eddies.

Governing Equations

QG Potential Vorticity

\[\frac{\partial q}{\partial t} + J(\psi, q) + J(\psi, q^w) = \text{dissipation}\]

where $q = \nabla^2\psi + \frac{f_0^2}{N^2}\frac{\partial^2\psi}{\partial z^2}$

YBJ+ Wave Envelope

\[\frac{\partial B}{\partial t} + J(\psi, B) = i\frac{k_h^2}{2 \cdot Bu \cdot Ro} A + \frac{1}{2}\zeta B + \text{dissipation}\]

where $B = L^+ A$ and A is recovered via elliptic inversion.

Physical Processes

ProcessTermEffect
Advection$J(\psi, B)$Waves carried by flow
Refraction$\frac{1}{2}\zeta B$Waves focus in anticyclones
Dispersion$i k_h^2 A$Horizontal spreading
Wave Trapping

Effective frequency $f_{\text{eff}} = f_0 + \zeta/2$. In anticyclones (ζ < 0), waves slow and accumulate.

Variables

TypeVariables
Prognosticq (potential vorticity), B (wave envelope)
Diagnosticψ (from q), A (from B), u, v (from ψ)

Boundary Conditions

  • Horizontal: Doubly periodic
  • Vertical: Rigid lid (w=0 at z=0, z=-Lz), no-flux (∂ψ/∂z=0)
Coordinate Convention

z = 0 at surface, z = -Lz at bottom.

See Also