Gareth Williams - Figures

Color Figures

Case JG1a at Day 550, Case JG1a at Day 1540, Case Galileo
Argo Figure Set 01
From JGR 1997 publication
3-D vortex form

Williams, G. P., 1997:
Planetary vortices and Jupiter's vertical structure.
Journal of Geophysical Research, 102 (E4), 9303-9308.

Abstract: Measurements of the vertical structure of Jupiter's circulation have recently been made near the equator by the Galileo spacecraft probe. In other regions, planetary vortices exist selectively for a limited range of generic (exponential) vertical forms and can be used to probe the atmospheric structure theoretically. A study of vortex genesis with a three-dimensional numerical model produces reasonably realistic simulations of the Great Red Spot for both the generic and galilean forms, provided that Jupiter's winds do not extend much beyond a 500 km depth. But the actual depth of the winds remains uncertain.

Classic Figures

Jupiter's zonal winds - from 1985 Fig.03 p398
latitudinal profile imposed on cloud image

barotropic jet genesis - from 1978 Fig.16
eddies drive waves drive jets

equatorial jet genesis - from 1978 Fig.18
tropical eddies drive equatorial jet

quasi-geostrophic jet genesis - from 1979 Fig.14
baroclinic eddies drive multiple jets

shallow layer vortex genesis 1 - from 1984 Fig.16
unstable easterly jets generate one or more vortices

shallow layer vortex genesis 2 - from 1988 Fig.27
stochastically forced eddies merge into single vortex

global circulation range - from 1988 Fig.02
number of zonal jets changes as rotation rate of Earth model
varies from 0 to 8 times standard rate ( omega*=1 )

single 3-D vortex genesis - from 1996 Fig.31
unstable easterly jets lead to single baroclinic vortex

multi 3-D vortex genesis 200-0750 days - from 1996 Fig.33a
unstable easterly jets lead to multiple vortex mergers

multi 3-D vortex genesis 800-2500 days - from 1996 Fig.33b
unstable easterly jets lead to multiple vortex mergers

galilean 3-D vortex genesis - from 1997 Fig.02
unstable jets with Galileo probe structure give single vortex

single 3-D vortex oscillation - from 1997 Fig.05
oscillation in vortex longitude and amplitude
resembles GRS 90-day fluctuation

vertical structure of 3-D vortex - from 1997 Plate 01
Carina or keel shape suggested for Great Red Spot ( GRS )