Velocity probability density functions of a high resolution, quasi-geostrophic ocean model.

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in velocity probability density functions (vpdfs) in geophysical turbulence and oceanic flows. Here we examine the vpdfs in a high resolution model of a quasi-geostrophic wind driven ocean basin. The shape of the vpdfs are studied in the various regions of the ocean basin as a function of Reynolds number. The results are compared to measurements made using data from TOPEX/Poseidon (Gille and Llewellyn Smith, 2000 and Llewellyn Smith and Gille, 1998) and from oceanic floats (Bracco et al., 2000).