Modelling of Large-Scale Circulation in Atmosphere and Ocean
In this course, you will learn how to use and further develop a numerical model in order to study the large-scale ocean and atmosphere circulation. The course consists of a number of computer exercises, where you will study geophysical phenomena making use of the numerical circulation model. You will compare the model simulations with the analytical solutions. This will give an insight into both the geophysical phenomena and the shortcomings of the numerical model.
The exercises comprise
- Geostrophic adjustment
- Gravity, Poincaré waves and tidal waves
- Kelvin waves (both coastal and equatorial)
- Rossby waves (both atmospheric and oceanic for midlatitudes as well as for the Equatorial region)
- The wind driven ocean circulation (Ekman, Sverdrup, Stommel and Munk theoretical models)
The course consists of four projects with corresponding lectures of the theory as well as supervision of the computer exercises.
The projects are
- Geostrophic adjustment
- Kelvin waves
- Rossby waves
- The ocean gyre circulation
Teaching Format
The teaching consists of
- lectures of the theory behind the large-scale circulation
- supervision of the four computer exercises.
Participation in the computer exercises and associated tutorials is compulsory.
Course material
Grading criteria, course literature and other material and correspondence related to the course will be available on the course Athena-site once you have registered for the course.
Assessment
Four written reports as well as an oral presentation of one of the four exercises at the end of the course.
