Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon

Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2005.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Privé, Nikki C., 1977-
Other Authors: R. Alan Plumb.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33726
_version_ 1811093582613839872
author Privé, Nikki C., 1977-
author2 R. Alan Plumb.
author_facet R. Alan Plumb.
Privé, Nikki C., 1977-
author_sort Privé, Nikki C., 1977-
collection MIT
description Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2005.
first_indexed 2024-09-23T15:47:24Z
format Thesis
id mit-1721.1/33726
institution Massachusetts Institute of Technology
language eng
last_indexed 2024-09-23T15:47:24Z
publishDate 2006
publisher Massachusetts Institute of Technology
record_format dspace
spelling mit-1721.1/337262019-04-11T07:43:48Z Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon Privé, Nikki C., 1977- R. Alan Plumb. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2005. Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-204). The applicability of axisymmetric theory of angular momentum conserving circulations to the large-scale steady monsoon is studied in a general circulation model with idealized representations of continental geometry and simple physics. The axisymmetric theory is expanded to explain the location of the monsoon; assuming quasi-equilibrium, the poleward boundary of the monsoon circulation will be collocated with the maximum in subcloud moist entropy, with the monsoon rains occurring slightly equatorward of this maximum. Starting from an axisymmetric aquaplanet framework, the model complexity is incrementally increased to include first a subtropical continent, then eddies and zonal variation in the flow, and finally asymmetry of the large-scale forcing. It is found that the meridional circulation which develops over a zonally symmetric continent is in good agreement with the axisymmetric theory, but a cross-equatorial meridional circulation does not form over a continent of limited longitudinal width, where the flow is highly asymmetric. (cont.) The equator proves to be a substantial barrier to boundary layer meridional flow; flow into the summer hemisphere from the winter hemisphere tends to occur in the free troposphere rather than in the boundary layer. The monsoon location is found to be strongly correlated with the maximum subcloud moist entropy, both in the modeled cases and in observed monsoons around the globe. The net effect of eddies is a slight weakening of the monsoon due to redistribution of the moist entropy field. Advection is found to strongly shape the overall distribution of subcloud moist entropy, and to limit the range of the monsoon circulation and precipitation. by Nikki C. Privé. Sc.D. 2006-07-31T15:27:51Z 2006-07-31T15:27:51Z 2005 2005 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33726 65168513 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 204 p. 12102666 bytes 12111275 bytes application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
Privé, Nikki C., 1977-
Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title_full Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title_fullStr Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title_full_unstemmed Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title_short Axisymmetric theory and the interactive, asymmetric monsoon
title_sort axisymmetric theory and the interactive asymmetric monsoon
topic Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33726
work_keys_str_mv AT privenikkic1977 axisymmetrictheoryandtheinteractiveasymmetricmonsoon