YSB 691E - Geophy.Fluid Dyna.I -Rot.Flu.

Course Objectives

This course is aimed to provide a fundamental understanding of geophysical fluid dynamics based on a mathematical description of flows under the effects of earth’s rotation.
1. equations of motion on a rotating earth, simplified shallow water theory
2. vorticity and kinetic energy conservation equations
3. Taylor-Proudman theorem and its implications for geophysical flows
4. geostrophic, Ekman and inertial flows, geostrophic degeneracy and closure
5. oceanic wave motions, Kelvin and Poincare´ waves, shelf waves, inertia-gravity waves, longitudinal and
transverse wave motions, phase and group velocity, wave propagation reflection and transmission 6. wind-driven ocean general circulation theory

Course Description

Geophysical fluid dynamics, studying oceanic and atmospheric motions on earth. Development of the equations of motion. Vorticity and energy equations. Simplifications leading to geostrophic flow, Ekman flow, inertial oscillations. Geostrophic indeterminacy and closure. Development of shallow water equations. Inertia-gravity motions, Poincare and Kelvin waves, shelf and topographic waves, Rossby waves. Quasi- geostrophic theory. Wind-driven ocean circulation.