Warm colors denote positive buoyancy perturbations, cold colors denote negative perturbations. Observe that:

• The perturbation velocity vector is always parallel to the lines of constant phase.
• Regions with downward motion are regions where the fluid is developing positive buoyancy and lead the regions of maximum buoyancy perturbation by one quarter of a wave period.
• Regions of maximum buoyancy perturbation are regions where the fluid is undergoing an upward acceleration and lead the regions of maximum vertical velocity by one quarter period.
• Although the net acceleration is upward in the region of maximum buoyancy perturbation, the upward buoyancy forcing is partly compensated by a downward perturbation pressure gradient force. (The perturbation pressure field, which is not shown, is in phase with the perturbation horizontal and vertical velocities.)

Zoom out to view the entire wave pattern

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ATM-0225441.

Last edited 17 Nov 06