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Rossby waves



Dave Cruz writes (as a possible explanation for the "Bermuda
Triangle"):

I was thinking, after reading the posts about Rossby waves, that if
a wave with sufficiently lowered water density passed underneath a
vessel, its buoyancy would be suddenly reduced, perhaps causing it
to sink suddenly and "without cause". A wave with lowered density
would also probably attract nearby higher-density water to attempt
to equalize the density, and the inflowing water motion would
hasten the sinking.


It's a fun idea, but unfortunately it won't work, for a variety of
reasons. Probably the most important is that density variations in the
ocean are only of order a few parts per thousand, and so even the
least dense water wouldn't sink your vessel. Think of it this way:
if the (dense) salt water under your ship were suddenly replaced with
(light) fresh water, would it sink? If the answer is yes, I sure
wouldn't want to take a cruise on your ocean liner.

Also, my understanding is that the whole "Bermuda Triangle" thing is
kind of a myth. I believe that if you control for the large amount of
travel through the region, there are no more sinkings (or downings of
aircraft) than would be expected statistically. Am I wrong?

Ari Epstein

P.S. I promised another example of a Rossby wave--this time one in
which a velocity field propagates--and I will deliver, but it's been
really busy here. I'll try to send it along in the next day or two.