EAS 5050 Fluid Dynamics in the Earth Sciences
Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: MATH through 2940, PHYS through 2208 or 2214, or permission of instructor. L. Cathles and M. Wysocki.
The Earth System provides many fascinating examples of fluid dynamics phenomena that are also of societal importance. Turbulent convection in the outer core generates the earth’s magnetic field. The viscous mantle (outer half of the Earth) is slowly but vigorously convecting, and consequently the Earth’s surface is dynamic. Viscosity is not important in the oceans and atmosphere, but the flow there is fast enough for the rotation of the Earth to become to dominant control. Electromagnetic effects again dominate in the solar wind and magnetosphere. This course will investigate the Earth using fluid dynamics. For students in the Earth sciences it will provide an opportunity to learn the insights that can be provided by fluid dynamics. For students who know fluid dynamics from other fields it will provide some spectacular applications and an opportunity to learn about the Earth system in a different and unusually fundamental way.