Nonlinear Processes In Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

A Tribute to the Scientific Work of Pedro Ripa

The rotating shallow water (RSW) model is of wide use as a conceptual tool in geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD), because, in spite of its simplicity, it contains all essential ingredients of atmosphere and ocean dynamics at the synoptic scale, especially in its two- (or multi-) layer version. The book describes recent advances in understanding (in the framework of RSW and related models) of some fundamental GFD problems, such as existence of the slow manifold, dynamical splitting of fast (inertia-gravity waves) and slow (vortices, Rossby waves) motions, nonlinear geostrophic adjustment and wave emission, the role of essentially nonlinear wave phenomena. The specificity of the book is that analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches are presented together and complement each other. Special attention is paid on explaining the methodology, e.g. multiple time-scale asymptotic expansions, averaging and removal of resonances, in what concerns theory, high-resolution finite-volume schemes, in what concerns numerical simulations, and turntable experiments with stratified fluids, in what concerns laboratory simulations. A general introduction into GFD is given at the beginning to introduce the problematics for non-specialists. At the same time, recent new results on nonlinear geostrophic adjustment, nonlinear waves, and equatorial dynamics, including some exact results on the existence of the slow manifold, wave breaking, and nonlinear wave solutions are presented for the first time in a systematic manner. · Incorporates analytical, numerical and experimental approaches in the geophysical fluid dynamics context· Combination of essentials in GFD, of the description of analytical, numerical and experimental methods (tutorial part), and new results obtained by these methods (original part)· Provides the link between GFD and mechanics (averaging method, the method of normal forms); GFD and nonlinear physics (shocks, solitons, modons, anomalous transport, periodic nonlinear waves)

Lectures on Geophysical Fluid Dynamics offers an introduction to several topics in geophysical fluid dynamics, including the theory of large-scale ocean circulation, geostrophic turbulence, and Hamiltonian fluid dynamics. Since each chapter is a self-contained introduction to its particular topic, the book will be useful to students and researchers in diverse scientific fields.

This book grew out of lectures on geophysical fluid dynamics delivered over many years at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology by the author (and, with regard to some parts of the book, by his colleagues). During these lectures the students were advised to read many books, and sometimes individual articles, in order to acquaint themselves with the necessary material, since there was no single book available which provided a sufficiently complete and systematic account (except, perhaps, the volumes on Hydrophysics of the Ocean, Hydrodynamics of the Ocean, and Geodynamics in the ten-volume Oceanology series published by Nauka Press in 1978-1979; these refer, however, specifically to the ocean, and anyway they are much too massive to be convenient for study by students). As far as we know, no text corresponding to our understanding of geophysical fluid dynamics has as yet been published outside the Soviet Union. The present book is designed to fill this gap. Since it is customary to write the preface after the entire book has been completed, the author has an opportunity there to raise some points of possible criticism by the reviewers and readers. First of all, note that this work presents the theoretical fundamentals of geophysical fluid dynamics, and that observational and experimental data (which in the natural sciences are always very copious) are referred to only rarely and briefly.

Geophysical fluid dynamics illustrates the rich interplay between mathematical analysis, nonlinear dynamics, statistical theories, qualitative models and numerical simulations. This self-contained introduction will suit a multi-disciplinary audience ranging from beginning graduate students to senior researchers. It is the first book following this approach and contains many recent ideas and results.

Although nonlinear waves occur in nearly all branches of physics and engi neering, there is an amazing degree of agreement about the fundamental con cepts and the basic paradigms. The underlying unity of the theory for linearized waves is already well-established, with the importance of such universal concepts as group velocity and wave superposition. For nonlinear waves the last few decades have seen the emergence of analogous unifying comcepts. The pervasiveness of the soliton concept is amply demonstrated by the ubiquity of such models as the Korteweg-de Vries equation and the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Similarly, there is a universality in the study of wave-wave interactions, whether determin istic or statistical, and in the recent developments in the theory of wave-mean flow interactions. The aim of this text is to present the basic paradigms of weakly nonlinear waves in fluids. This book is the outcome of a CISM Summer School held at Udine from September 20-24, 2004. . Like the lectures given there the text covers asymptotic methods for the derivation of canonical evolution equations, such as the Kortew- de Vries and nonlinear Schrodinger equations, descriptions of the basic solution sets of these evolution equations, and the most relevant and compelling applica tions. These themes are interlocked, and this will be demonstrated throughout the text . The topics address any fluid flow application, but there is a bias towards geophysical fluid dynamics, reflecting for the most part the areas where many applications have been found.

This second edition of the widely acclaimed Geophysical Fluid Dynamics by Joseph Pedlosky offers the reader a high-level, unified treatment of the theory of the dynamics of large-scale motions of the oceans and atmosphere. Revised and updated, it includes expanded discussions of * the fundamentals of geostrophic turbulence * the theory of wave-mean flow interaction * thermocline theory * finite amplitude barocline instability.

The content of this book is based, largely, on the core curriculum in geophys ical fluid dynamics which I and my colleagues in the Department of Geophysical Sciences at The University of Chicago have taught for the past decade. Our purpose in developing a core curriculum was to provide to advanced undergraduates and entering graduate students a coherent and systematic introduction to the theory of geophysical fluid dynamics. The curriculum and the outline of this book were devised to form a sequence of courses of roughly one and a half academic years (five academic quarters) in length. The goal of the sequence is to help the student rapidly advance to the point where independent study and research are practical expectations. It quickly became apparent that several topics (e. g. , some aspects of potential theory) usually thought of as forming the foundations of a fluid-dynamics curriculum were merely classical rather than essential and could be, however sadly, dispensed with for our purposes. At the same time, the diversity of interests of our students is so great that no curriculum can truly be exhaust ive in such a curriculum period. It seems to me that the best that can be achieved as a compromise is a systematic introduction to some important segment of the total scope of geophysical fluid dynamics which is illustrative of its most fruitful methods.