Ocean General Circulation. 3 credits

Catalog description

Description and theory of large-scale ocean circulation and how it affects climate. Focus is on ubiquitous flow structures such as gyres, equatorial currents, and meridional overturning cells. Examines how the circulation follows from wind and thermohaline forcing, as well as physical principles. The influence of the circulation on heat transport and climate variability is also discussed. Conceptual guideposts include barotropic gyres, Ekman cells, potential vorticity, western intensification, the interplay of gravity and the Earth's rotation, advective-diffusive balance, multiple flow states, and Rossby waves. Offered by Atmospheric/Oceanic/Earth Sci . May not be repeated for credit.