| Abstract: | Multi-level turbulent wind data from the Risø Air-Sea Experiments (RASEX) were used to examine the structure of large-scale motions in the marine atmospheric surface layer. The quadrant technique was used to identify flux events (ejections/sweeps). Ejections, which appear to occur in groups, are seen to occur first at the upper level, moving successively to lower levels with small time delays. A strong correlation between events at different heights suggests that they may all be part of a single large structure. Cross-correlation between velocity signals was used to estimate orientation of the structure using Taylor's hypothesis. The inclination of this structure is shallow ( 15°) near the surface and increases with height. Spatial representations of the fluctuating wind vectors show a structure that is strikingly similar to conceptual models of transverse vortices and shear layers seen in laboratory flows and direct numerical simulation (DNS) of low Reynolds number flows. Spatial visualization of velocity fluctuations during other time periods and conditions clearly shows the existence of shear layers, transverse vortices, plumes, and downdrafts of various sizes and strengths. A quantitative analysis shows an increase in the frequency of shear related events with increasing wind speed. |
