Theory 15/The rival is a different mechanism/Oceanography
Wind Work or Stored Energy?
The claim
Eddy kinetic energy is maintained by wind work rather than by release of stored potential energy.
01The rival explanation
Baroclinic instability releases stored potential energy, and wind work is a minor term.
02What would tell them apart
Regions with large potential energy but weak wind work should separate the two.
03Prediction
Eddy energy should track wind work in those regions.
04Refutation
If energy follows potential energy regardless of wind, the rival wins.