Scaling of Latitude‐Dependent Heat Transport in Geostrophic Convection
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Latitudinal variations in heat transport shape the thermal and magnetic evolution of rapidly rotating planets, stars, and icy moons. Although global simulations have revealed strong equatorial–polar contrasts, a predictive scaling theory has been lacking. Here we use rotating Rayleigh‐Bénard convection with tilted rotation and gravity axes to model dynamics at different latitudes in the geostrophic regime. We derive scaling relations for convective length scales and the Nusselt number that explain the latitude dependence of heat transfer. At high latitudes, near onset and above onset; at low latitudes, . These relations, validated against direct numerical simulations in spherical shells, unify local and global models. The results provide the first predictive framework for latitude‐dependent rotating thermal convection, with implications for Earth's core, gas giants, stellar interiors, and ocean circulation in icy moons.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2025gl119650
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7135013265