Velocity structure function in a geostrophic coherent vortex under strong rotation

Abstract: We consider analytically pair structure function of turbulent pulsations on the background of a coherent geostrophic vortex in a fast rotating fluid. The statistics of the turbulent pulsation is determined by their dynamics which is the dynamics of inertia waves affected by the differential rotation in the vortex and weak viscous damping. Our consideration is restricted by the smallest scales, where the velocity field remains smooth. We establish the anisotropy of the structure function. The velocity gradient of the turbulent pulsations achieves its largest value for the radial direction and its smallest value in the streamwise direction, resembling its behaviour in turbulent flow with mean shear component without imposed rotation.