Course Description
Second semester fluid dynamics course for graduate students and advanced undergraduates emphasizing quasi-geostrophic dynamics, balance models, Rossby, Kelvin and gravity waves, barotropic, baroclinic, inertial and convective instabilities, and the general circulation of rotating stratified fluids. Applications made to weather forecasting and ocean dynamics. Laboratory includes hands-on experiments and simulations.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to write a 10-15 page term paper on an unsolved problem in geophysical fluid dynamics that makes extensive use of the current research literature. They will have additional questions requiring a higher level of understanding on exams.
Athena Title
INTRO GEO FL DYN
Prerequisite
MATH 2500 and MATH 2700 and (PHYS 1212-1212L or PHYS 1312-1312L) and [GEOG(ENGR) 4112/6112 or MARS 4100/6100]
Semester Course Offered
Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course is designed to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to the fundamentals of geophysical fluid dynamics and their application to practical problems in the atmosphere and ocean. 1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of scale analysis applications such as the development of balance models, including quasi-geostrophic dynamics. 2. Students will be able to apply quasi-geostrophic balance to the problem of weather forecasting by developing and interpreting the results of the omega and geopotential height tendency equations and related dynamical tools using meteorological data. 3. Students will be able to demonstrate an ability to formulate and solve problems in wave motion and stability theory for geophysically relevant situations. 4. Students will be able to apply the results of wave and stability theory to atmospheric and oceanic phenomena. 5. Students will be able to demonstrate both conceptual and quantitative understanding of models of the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Fundamental Forces Week 2: Governing Equations; The Ekman Layer and Westward Intensification Week 3: Balance Models I: Quasi-Geostrophic (QG) Balance and the Chi Equation Week 4: QG Balance: The Omega Equation Week 5: QG Balance: Q Vectors and QG Potential Vorticity Week 6: Balance Models II: Semi-Geostrophic Balance; Fronts and Meanders Week 7: Balance Models III: Intermediate Balance Models Week 8: Wave Kinematics; Waves I: Sound Waves Week 9: Waves II: Shallow- and Deep-Water Gravity Waves Week 10: Waves III: Kelvin Waves; Inertia-Gravity Waves and Geostrophic Adjustment Week 11: Waves IV: Barotropic and Forced Rossby Waves Week 12: Stability Theory; Instabilities I: Static, Convective and Double-Diffusive Instability Week 13: Instabilities II: Inertial and Symmetric Instability; Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability Week 14: Instabilities III: Barotropic and Baroclinic Instability Week 15: General Circulation, Energetics and Wave Breaking