On the Possibility of Using Lithospheric Topography to Estimate the Velocity at the Horizontal Upper Boundary of an Intense Vortex in the Mantle Beneath the Sea of Japan Region

The model problem of finding a stationary axisymmetric flow of a homogeneous incompressible ideal fluid on the horizontal upper boundary of a cylindrical region at constant pressure, which is given by a model axisymmetric lithospheric relief constructed on the basis of the lithospheric relief of the Sea of Japan region, is considered. The radial distribution of the azimuthal and radial velocity components describing the anticyclonic circulation in the intramantle vortex under the Sea of Japan region is found from the solution of the equations of motion. The vortex is divided into an inner core and an outer part. The radial velocity of the vortex is continuous. The azimuthal velocity of the vortex undergoes discontinuities in the areas of rapid elevation of the lithosphere relief with increasing radius, corresponding to the positions of the “wall” of the inner core of the vortex and the “wall” of the outer part of the vortex. The azimuthal velocity of the vortex sharply increases as it approaches the “wall” of the outer vortex in the direction from the periphery to the vortex center. Similarly, the azimuthal velocity increases as it approaches the “wall” of the inner vortex core. The azimuthal velocity discontinuities at the “wall” of the inner vortex core and at the “wall” of the outer vortex are tangential discontinuities and may be unstable. In reality, intensive vortex formation with dissipation of kinetic energy into heat and intensive release of endogenous heat from the sea bottom into the water (mainly in the form of hot springs), which can influence the sea water circulation, should occur in the vicinity of azimuthal velocity discontinuities at the “wall” of the inner vortex core and at the “wall” of the outer part of the vortex.