The Front Condition for Non-Boussinesq Gravity Currents

ORAL

Abstract

Many geophysical flows such as powder snow avalanches and turbidity currents are particle-laden gravity currents in which the particles are largely or wholly suspended by fluid turbulence. Despite years of study there is still controversy about the appropriate front condition at high Reynolds number. We describe a theory that reconciles the approaches of von Karman and Benjamin settling the controversy.

Presenters

  • Jim N McElwaine

    • Durham University
    • University of Durham, Planetary Sciences Institute

Authors

  • Jim N McElwaine

    • Durham University
    • University of Durham, Planetary Sciences Institute
  • Nathan Alexander Konopliv

    • Univ of California - Santa Barbara
  • Eckart Heinz Meiburg

    • Univ of California - Santa Barbara
    • University of California at Santa Barbara