The statistical mechanics of a discrete-vortex system is considered in a coarse-grained sense, as a model for relaxation of two-dimensional turbulence at very large Reynolds numbers. The implications are qualitatively consistent with observations from recent numerical simulations of decaying homogeneous turbulence.

• Received 17 August 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.43.1126