Topographic and Coastal Influences on Atmospheric and Oceanic Vortices

Personnel: Associate Professor Charlie Macaskill, Mr Jomaa Ziad (PhD student), Mr Tim Schaerf (PhD student) , Professor David Dritschel, Mathematical Institute, University of St Andrews, Scotland, Dr Whayne Padden, now Photonics CRC, ATP

This project involves the study of nonlinear interactions of vortices in a 3-D rotating, stratified fluid. High resolution numerical techniques recently developed by us are being used to study the evolution of eddies in the oceans and atmosphere, interaction between eddies and ocean currents and their behaviour in the presence of topography or near coastal boundaries. These methods are also being used to determine the importance of viscous and boundary effects in laboratory experiments simulating geophysical vortex interactions.