Theory 09/Ocean eddies/Ratio lens
Eddy Size Is a Rossby Ratio
The claim
Eddy diameter is set by the ratio of the Rossby radius to the beta effect, so high-latitude eddies are smaller than tropical ones at the same stratification.
01Mechanism
Eddies arrest at the scale where their propagation matches the planetary vorticity gradient; the ratio sets that scale.
02Prediction
Diameter should track the ratio across latitudes.
03Refutation
Diameter tracking Rossby radius alone would remove beta.