title: Spatio-temporal organization of dynamics in a two-dimensional periodically driven vortex flow: A Lagrangian flow network perspective.
abstract: We study the Lagrangian dynamics of passive tracers in a simple model of a driven two-dimensional vortex resembling real-world geophysical flow patterns. Using a discrete approximation of the system's transfer operator, we construct a directed network that describes the exchange of mass between distinct regions of the flow domain. By studying different measures characterizing flow network connectivity at different time-scales, we are able to identify the location of dynamically invariant structures and regions of maximum dispersion. Specifically, our approach allows us to delimit co-existing flow regimes with different dynamics. To validate our findings, we compare several network characteristics to the well-established finite-time Lyapunov exponents and apply a receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify network measures that are particularly useful for unveiling the skeleton of Lagrangian chaos.
authors.affiliation: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg A31, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindner
authors.affiliation: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Telegrafenberg A31, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Reik V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Donner