Baroclinic Instability

Looking at the temperature of the fluid
and the current at the same time

/

Speed: 4rpm

Speed: 8rpm

Speed: 10rpm


Speed: 15rpm

Speed: 20rpm

Speed: 6rpm

Different stable patterns can occur under the same conditions.
The pattern depends on the initial condition of the experiment.

Experimental conditions

Outer temp.:22°C
Inner Temp.:15°C
Water depth: 73mm
Visible layer: 20mm below the surface of the water

Photographic conditions

f=135mm, F8, 1/2sec, ASA400

Filming conditions

Speeded up 6 times
240x180: 15fps, 320x240; 30fps