Storm on Saturn?

Question

Storms similar to the one on saturn form over a, relatively flat, liquid mass. What do we know about the true topography of Saturn and how these storms form?

Answer 1

The south polar vortex around Saturn is probably analgous to the polar vortices that form here on Earth that help produce the annual ozone "holes" over each pole during their respective springtimes.

Just because it isn't a hurricane, does not leave black hole as the only other option. I am rather startled that what appears to be an excerpt from a popular press science article has this speculation in it.

The Saturnian polar vortex is different in one respect; instead of forming in winter, this one is present in summer. I think all you need is some sort of convection process near a pole to drive such a thing, but I might be wrong.

Answer 2

You might find some answers on the NASA Cassini-Huygens web site:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press-release-details.cfm?newsID=703

Here is a quote from that web site:
"Eye-wall clouds are a distinguishing feature of hurricanes on Earth. They form where moist air flows inward across the ocean's surface, rising vertically and releasing a heavy rain around an interior circle of descending air that is the eye of the storm itself. Though it is uncertain whether such moist convection is driving Saturn's storm, the dark "eye" at the pole, the eye-wall clouds and the spiral arms together indicate a hurricane-like system.

Saturn's Surprisingly Stormy South
These images of Saturn's south pole, taken by two different instruments, show the hurricane-like storm swirling there and features in the clouds at various depths surrounding the pole.
Distinctive eye-wall clouds had not been seen on any planet other than Earth. Even Jupiter's Great Red Spot, much larger than Saturn's polar storm, has no eye or eye-wall and is relatively calm at the center.

This giant Saturnian storm is apparently different from hurricanes on Earth because it is locked to the pole and does not drift around. Also, since Saturn is a gaseous planet, the storm forms without an ocean at its base."

More info will probably be available on this same web site as
scientists review the data.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Saturn is classified as a "gas giant" planet...whatever solid surface exists, it's WAY deep down in Saturn's core. The bulk of the planet is high pressured gas...methane & helium i believe. It's density is actually less than that of water!
"Topography" really isn't an issue with the gas planets.