ASYMMETRIC SALT FINGERS INDUCED BY A NONLINEAR EQUATION OF STATE

The impact of the nonlinearity in the equation of state associated wit h the change in the thermal expansion coefficient with temperature on the structure of fingers growing from an interface between two mixed l ayers is investigated using a numerical model. It is shown that the no nlinearity acts to enhance the buoyancy force acting on the descending fingers with respect to that acting on the ascending fingers, resulti ng in narrower and faster-growing descending fingers than ascending fi ngers. The results are discussed with emphasis on the vertical variabi lity of properties along the fingers. (C) 1998 American Institute of P hysics.