Two-Dimensional $\beta$-plane Turbulence: Dual Cascade and Zonal Jets

Abstract

We derive an exact and novel expression for an averaged two-point correlation function in the statistically stationary, forced-dissipative two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations subject to the Coriolis force under the beta-plane approximation. This identity is related to the so-called geostrophic balance: it connects the effect of the Coriolis force to the pressure gradient through a two-point correlation function. Additionally, we provide sufficient conditions under which the asymptotics of the averaged third-order structure function at large spatial scales follow the universal third-order law of two-dimensional turbulence in the absence of the Coriolis force. This complements our previous results on small spatial scales. Together, our results provide a clear picture of the role of the Coriolis force in beta-plane turbulence. On the one hand, the spherically averaged rates of enstrophy and energy transfer are not affected by the Coriolis force. On the other hand, the Coriolis force contributes to anisotropic large-scale organization by altering the spatial distribution of energy and promoting the formation of zonal structures. The proof relies on a new formulation of the Karman-Howarth-Monin relation. For the geostrophic balance, we use a novel antisymmetric projection of the KHM relation under which only the pressure and Coriolis terms survive. For the cascade laws, we show that the Coriolis contribution to the averaged classical KHM relation vanishes identically at any scale.