Large-scale Ocean and Atmosphere Dynamics (updated 12 January 2013)

Course number: 16:712.502 Credits: 3 Instructors: Haidvogel and Curchitser Term offered: Spring semester, alternate years Prerequisites: 16:712.501 (or equivalent)

Brief Course Description The theoretical basis for the observed large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation is presented. Topics include: kinematics of planetary flow; derivation of the three-dimensional equations of motion; vorticity and energy; the planetary boundary layer; synoptic-scale motions; linear waves; hydrodynamic instability; the general circulation on the sphere; the effects of boundaries on large-scale horizontal flow; and vertical structure and motion.

Course Outline:

Topic 1: Introduction: basic concepts; kinematics of planetary flows; natural coordinates

Topic 2: The equations of motion: conservation of mass; the pressure gradient force; isobaric coordinates; gravity; the Coriolis force; the Mechanical and Thermodynamic Energy Equations

Topic 3: Basic applications: the horizontal equations of motion in natural coordinates; inertial motion; geostrophic motion; cyclostrophic flow; gradient wind; thermal wind; determining the vertical motion

Topic 4: Circulation and Vorticity: circulation; the circulation theorems of Kelvin and Bjerknes; relative and planetary vorticity; Ertel potential vorticity

(Exam 1)

Topic 5: The Planetary Boundary Layer: viscous forces; the Boussinesq approximation; Reynolds averaging; turbulent kinetic energy; the closure problem; the mixing length hypothesis; the Ekman layer

Topic 6: Synoptic-scale motions: scaling the equations for large-scale, mid-latitude flow; quasi-geostrophy; the beta plane; static structure of the ocean and atmosphere Topic 7: Linear waves: the shallow water equations; properties of waves; inertial, gravity, and inertio-gravity waves; Rossby waves

(Exam 2)

Topic 8: Hydrodynamic instability: Instability in a one-layer system; the two-layer model; baroclinic instability; instability in a continuously stratified fluid

Topic 9: The general circulation on the sphere: the zonally averaged circulation; the angular momentum budget; low-frequency variability; mean-eddy energy cycles

Topic 10: The wind-driven ocean: Sverdrup flow; linear; frictional boundary layer theories; the inertial problem; integral balances; effects of boundaries on waves

Topic 11:

Vertical structure and motion: source-sink driven flows on the sphere;

homogenization of potential vorticity; the oceanic thermocline; effects of topography

(Exam 3)

Primary resources Holton, J. R., 1992: An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology. Academic Press, New York; Third Edition; 511 pp. Vallis, G. K., 2006: Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, Fundamentals and LargeScale Circulation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK; 745 pp. Wallace & Hobbs, 2006: Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey. Academic Press, New York; Second Edition; 483 pp. Other resources Pedlosky, J., 1987. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. Springer; Second Edition; 710 pp. Criteria for student grading: homework sets (~4@ 10%) written exams (3@ 20%)