# A Consistent One-Dimensional Model for the Turbulent Tachocline Source: [A Consistent One-Dimensional Model for the Turbulent Tachocline]() Collection index: [llms.txt]() Data updated: 2025-10-24T18:59:16.653Z Authors: K. Petrovay Published: 2003-03-03T15:12:59.000Z ## Abstract The first consistent model for the turbulent tachocline is presented, with the turbulent diffusivity computed within the model instead of being specified arbitrarily. For the origin of the 3D turbulence a new mechanism is proposed. Owing to the strongly stable stratification, the mean radial shear is stable, while the horizontal shear is expected to drive predominantly horizontal, quasi-2D motions in thin slabs. Here I suggest that a major source of 3D overturning turbulent motions in the tachocline is the secondary shear instability due to the strong, random vertical shear arising between the uncorrelated horizontal flows in neighbouring slabs. A formula for the vertical diffusivity due to this turbulence, equation (9), is derived and applied in a simplified 1D model of the tachocline. It is found that Maxwell stresses due to an oscillatory poloidal magnetic field of a few hundred gauss are able to confine the tachocline to a thickness below 5 Mm. The integral scale of the 3D overturning turbulence is the buoyancy scale, on the order of 10 km and its velocity amplitude is a few m/s, yielding a vertical turbulent diffusivity on the order of 10^8 cm^2/s. ## Recorded benchmark results A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage. ## Original sources and implementation [Original paper]() [PDF]()