AOS Faculty Profile
Geoffrey Vallis
Lecturer with Rank of Professor, Ph.D. Imperial College, University of London
Address: 332 GFDL / 219 Sayre Hall
Phone: (609) 452-6528 / 258-6176
Email: gkv at princeton.edu
Publications Vita
Large-Scale Dynamics and Circulation of Both the Atmosphere and Ocean
My work varies between basic research in geophysical fluid dynamics and more applied modeling of various aspects of the ocean, atmosphere, or climate, although distinguishing between these subfields can sometimes be quite arbitrary. A common feature of my work is trying to use basic theory in conjunction with more complete numerical models to come to a more well-rounded understanding of phenomena than can be achieved with a single approach.
On the oceanic side, much of my recent work has been devoted toward trying to understand the three-dimensional structure of the wind-and-buoyancy-driven circulation, and in particular the thermocline. The effects of ventilation (or subduction), diffusion and mesoscale eddies all play a role, and disentangling their sometimes competing effects involves the use of both numerical models and theory. I’m now trying to understand the ocean’s role in climate change-- how does the ocean absorb heat in a warming planet?
On the atmospheric side, I’ve recently been looking at the nature of variability at timescales from a week to a season, and how this might be caused by the interaction of baroclinic eddies. Again, a complete understanding of this involves bringing together areas as seemingly diverse as the theory of geostrophic turbulence, wave-meanflow interaction, and general circulation modeling of the atmosphere.
Some Recent Publications:
Mitchell, J. and Vallis, G. K. 2010. The transition to superrotation in terrestrial atmospheres J. Geophys. Res. (Planets), v115, doi:10.1029/2010JE003587. pdf file
Nikurashin, M. and Vallis, G. K. 2010. A Theory of Deep Stratification and Overturning Circulation in the Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanog., in press. pdf file
Kidston, J. and Vallis, G. K. 2010. Relationship between eddy-driven jet latitude and width Geophys. Res. Lett, doi:10.1029/2010GL044849. pdf file
Vallis, G. K. and Farneti, R. 2009. Meridional Energy Transport in the Atmosphere-Ocean System. Scaling and Numerical Experiments. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 135, 1643-1660, doi:10.1002/qj.498. pdf file