  Results from the laboratory experiments on the evolution of vortices (eddies)
generated in a rotating tank with topographic beta-effect are presented. The
surface elevation and velocity fields are measured by the Altimetric Imaging
Velocimetry. The experiments are supplemented by shallow water numerical
simulations as well as a linear theory which describes the Rossby wave
radiation by travelling vortices. The cyclonic vortices observed in the
experiments travel to the northwest and continuously radiate Rossby waves.
Measurements show that initially axisymmetric vortices develop a dipolar
component which enables them to perform translational motion. A pattern of
alternating zonal jets to the west of the vortex is created by Rossby waves
with approximately zonal crests. Energy spectra of the flows in the wavenumber
space indicate that a wavenumber similar to that introduced by Rhines for
turbulent flows on the beta-plane can be introduced here. The wavenumber is
based on the translational speed of a vortex rather than on the
root-mean-square velocity of a turbulent flow. The comparison between the
experiments and numerical simulations demonstrates that evolving vortices also
emit inertial waves. While these essentially three-dimensional waves can be
observed in the altimetric data they are not accounted for in the shallow water
simulations.
