LTCC Environmental Flows

Short description Simplified mathematical models of some large-scale atmospheric and oceanic flow features will be presented, using geophysical fluid dynamics. Syllabus This course is about aspects of geophysical fluid dynamics, relevant to the climate system. The flows to be considered will be large-scale oceanic and atmospheric features. With the aim of constructing simplified idealised models that illustrate basic mechanisms, mathematical models of several such features will be derived and analysed. After introducing the quasigeostrophic equations, applications to be covered will be baroclinic instability, multiple equilibria, ocean spinup. Prerequisites: The course is suitable for students who have taken undergraduate fluid mechanics courses. Familiarity with geophysical fluid dynamics will be helpful, but not assumed. Recommended reading The course will be self-contained. The following books provide much wider coverage of the theme of oceanic and atmospheric dynamics. Gill, A.E. (1982) Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics. Academic Press. Pedlosky, J. (1987, 1992) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. Springer-Verlag. Vallis, G.K. (2006) Atmospheric and oceanic fluid dynamics. Cambridge University Press.