Low viscosity channels and the stability of long wavelength convection

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dc.contributor.advisorLenardic, Adrian
dc.creatorAhmed, Omar Khalil
dc.date.accessioned2011-07-25T02:06:32Z
dc.date.available2011-07-25T02:06:32Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractMantle convection simulations with a low viscosity channel, akin to the Earth's asthenosphere, are characterized by long wavelength flow structure. Boundary layer theory predicts that as the viscosity of the channel decreases, the wavelength that maximizes heat transfer increases. As a pattern selection criterion, this analysis is not complete. It provides no mechanism to relate the optimal heat transfer wavelength to the wavelength that is realized or preferred in nature. We present numerical simulation suites, for bottom and internally heated end-members, to demonstrate that the cell wavelengths that maximize heat transfer are also the most stable. This does not rule out the possibility of multiple wavelengths being realizable but it does imply that wavelengths near the stability peak will be preferred and, for the configurations we explore, the stability peak corresponds to the energetically most efficient flow configuration.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS GEOL. 2010 AHMED
dc.identifier.citationAhmed, Omar Khalil. "Low viscosity channels and the stability of long wavelength convection." (2010) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/62121">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/62121</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/62121
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectGeology
dc.subjectGeophysics
dc.subjectPlasma physics
dc.titleLow viscosity channels and the stability of long wavelength convection
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentEarth Science
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science
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