Numerical simulation of rotating convection in plane layers with free slip boundaries show that the convective flows can be classified according to a quantity constructed from the Reynolds, Prandtl, and Ekman numbers. Three different flow regimes appear: laminar flow close to the onset of convection, turbulent flow in which the heat flow approaches the heat flow of nonrotating convection, and an intermediate regime in which the heat flow scales according to a power law independent of thermal diffusivity and kinematic viscosity.

• Received 11 May 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.80.015305