Ocean Dynamics and Circulation
The ocean is an important component of the climate system. In addition to providing a thermodynamic inertia which moderates the climates of maritime regions, the large scale oceanic currents of the deep, slow thermohaline and swift, shallow wind-driven circulations carry warm water poleward and cold dense water equatorward, thus effecting a poleward transport of heat. The atmosphere is directly affected by conditions at the ocean surface, including the fluxes of momentum, heat and gases at that surface. Turbulent processes, associated with ocean tides for example, are important in bringing nutrients to the surface in coastal regions, and in mixing heat down to the abyss. AOS researchers are trying to understand these and many other aspects of the circulation and dynamics of the ocean, on small, regional and global scales, using a variety of tools that range from idealized, simplified models, to fine-grid regional and global general circulation models requiring a super-computer.
Click for movie
Sea-Surface Height Animation Showing Currents and Eddies in Intra-America Seas, from an Atlantic-Ocean Simulation with POM
Sea Level and Currents During Hurricane Katrina (2005), Simulated Using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) with Variable Grids 1/24 to 1/12deg
Faculty
Robert Hallberg
Sonya Legg
Anand Gnanadesikan
George Philander
Jorge Sarmiento
Geoff Vallis
George Mellor
Researchers
Alistair Adcroft
Whit Anderson
Tal Ezer
Lie-Yauw Oey
Laura Jackson
Rongrong Zhao
Students
Arno Hammann
Daniele Bianchi
Neven-Stjepan Fuckar
