Summary

Geostrophic Equation

Geostrophic equation is used to estimate ocean currents. The mass of the earth is known
not distributed evenly and the earth is not a perfect ellipsoid. The surface of constant pressure
is along which the gravitational force has no changes, we called it the ‘geoid’. Quantity that
shows how fast something rotates:

 Ω (angular velocity)= angle/second

 2π radians = 360°
 2π / 1 day = 2π / 86,400 sec = 0.707 x 10-4 /sec (for earth)
 v=ΩR

Centripetal force is a force that makes object tethered. Centrifugal force is the apparent
force (apparent force) that one feels due to lack of awareness that the coordinate system is
rotating or curving. Centrifugal force is maximum at the equator (maximum radius from axis)
and minimum at the poles (0 radius). Coriolis effect deflects bodies (water parcels, air parcels)
to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Coriolis force:

 x-momentum equation: -2 Ωsinϕ v = -f v

 y-momentum equation: 2 Ωsinϕ u = f u
 Coriolis parameter: f = 2 Ωsinϕ
 At equator (ϕ=0, sinϕ=0): f = 0
 At 30°N (ϕ=30°, sinϕ=0.5): f = 0.729x10-4/sec
 At north pole (ϕ=90°, sinϕ=1): f = 1.458x10-4/sec
 At 30°S (ϕ=-30°, sinϕ=-0.5): f = -0.729x10-4/sec
 At south pole (ϕ=-90°, sinϕ=-1): f = -1.458x10-4/sec
 For northern hemisphere, geostrophic wind flow to the right of the PGF (Pressure
Gradient Force). Three (approximate) equations:

 Horizontal (x) : west-east

-fv= -(1/ρ)∂p/∂x
 Horizontal (y): south-north
fu= -(1/ρ)∂p/∂y
 Vertical (z) : down-up
0 = -(1/ρ)∂p/∂z –g

Barotropic flow occurs when levels of constant pressure in the ocean are always parallel
to the surfaces of constant density. Note, some authors call the vertically averaged flow the
barotropic component of the flow. Baroclinic flow occurs when levels of constant pressure are
inclined to surfaces of constant density. In this case, density varies with depth and horizontal
position.

 Consider a level surface slightly below the sea surface, say two meters below the sea
surface, at z = −r

 assuming ρ and g are essentially constant in the upper few meters of the ocean, the
geostrophic equation is
 Baroclinic is geostrophic flow with vertical shear. Barotropic is geostrophic flow
without any vertical shear. The relation between the geostrophic velocity shear and the
horizontal change (gradient) in density is called the thermal wind relation. Mathematically, the
thermal wind relations are derived from the geostrophic flow and the hydrostatic balance: