Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun circulation of winds at a velocity (or angular momentum) greater than that of the surface

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

super- +‎ rotation

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Examples

  • Despite this "superrotation," some dynamical and morphological similarities exist between the vortex organization in the atmospheres of Venus's northern and southern hemispheres and tropical cyclones and hurricanes on Earth.

    EurekAlert! - Breaking News 2009

  • If the forcing were strong enough, the westerly acceleration could overwhelm the easterly Coriolis acceleration caused by equatorward drift in the Hadley cell, whereupon the normal tropical winds would be replaced by a westerly superrotation.

    New Millennial Warm Pool Foraminifera Study « Climate Audit 2006

  • Given the challenges in measuring the deep circulation of Venus's atmosphere, the authors expect that the morphological similarities between vortices on Earth and Venus might help scientists better understand atmospheric superrotation on Venus and guide future observations.

    EurekAlert! - Breaking News 2009

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