Deep convection
Encyclopedia
Deep convection is a convective
process in a medium, usually in an atmosphere
or ocean
, that in some sense spans the vertical.
Within the atmosphere, this means from the surface to above the 500 hPa level, generally stopping at or defining the tropopause
at around 200 hPa
. Most atmospheric deep convection occurs in the tropics
as the rising branch of the Hadley circulation; it represents a strong coupling between the surface and the upper atmosphere which is largely absent in mid latitudes.
Oceanic deep convection only occurs at a few locations. While less dynamically important that in the atmosphere, it is responsible for the spreading of cold water through the low layers of the ocean. As such, it is important for the large-scale temperature structure of the whole ocean.
Convection
Convection is the movement of molecules within fluids and rheids. It cannot take place in solids, since neither bulk current flows nor significant diffusion can take place in solids....
process in a medium, usually in an atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
or ocean
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
, that in some sense spans the vertical.
Within the atmosphere, this means from the surface to above the 500 hPa level, generally stopping at or defining the tropopause
Tropopause
The tropopause is the atmospheric boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.-Definition:Going upward from the surface, it is the point where air ceases to cool with height, and becomes almost completely dry...
at around 200 hPa
HPA
-Organizations:*Halifax Port Authority, a port authority in Canada*Hamburg Port Authority, the port authority for the Port of Hamburg, Germany*Health Protection Agency, a health organization in the United Kingdom...
. Most atmospheric deep convection occurs in the tropics
Tropics
The tropics is a region of the Earth surrounding the Equator. It is limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at S; these latitudes correspond to the axial tilt of the Earth...
as the rising branch of the Hadley circulation; it represents a strong coupling between the surface and the upper atmosphere which is largely absent in mid latitudes.
Oceanic deep convection only occurs at a few locations. While less dynamically important that in the atmosphere, it is responsible for the spreading of cold water through the low layers of the ocean. As such, it is important for the large-scale temperature structure of the whole ocean.