Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics: the Ocean Circulation

Course description
Introduction to the physics governing the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean and their control on climate with emphasis on the large-scale ocean circulation. This course will give an overview of the structure and dynamics of the major ocean current systems that contribute to the meridional overturning circulation, the transport of heat, salt, and biogeochemical tracers, and the regulation of climate. Topics include the tropical ocean circulation, the wind-driven gyres and western boundary currents, the thermohaline circulation, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, water mass formation, atmosphere-ocean coupling, and climate variability.

This is the second of a two-part course series on the Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics. However, each course can be taken independently with the appropriate background (see prerequisites). The first course in the series (EESS146A/246A), focused on the large scale atmospheric circulation, will be taught in Winter 2011.