Large-Scale Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics I

The complex flows in the atmosphere and oceans are believed to be accurately modelled by the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics together with classical thermodynamics. However, due to the enormous complexity of these equations, meteorologists and oceanographers have constructed approximate models of the dominant, large-scale flows that control the evolution of weather systems. The simplifications often result in models that are amenable to solution both analytically and numerically. This volume and its companion explain why such simplifications to Newton's second law produce accurate, useful models and, just as the meteorologist seeks patterns in the weather, mathematicians seek structure in the governing equations. They show how geometry and analysis facilitate solution strategies.