Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
MC 6460
Matthew Harris
Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo
Instabilities of fronts
Fronts, locations of large density gradients, are of major importance in both the atmosphere and the oceans. In particular, oceanic fronts play a major role in the ecosystem of the oceans and atmospheric fronts dramatically affect weather patterns. The study of fronts is naturally split into two sections, the development of a front, known as frontogenesis, and the subsequent collapse. The focus of this talk is on the collapse of a front. In particular, we work within the 2 layer shallow water framework and apply linear stability theory to a geostrophically balanced background state in order to find the most unstable modes for a range of Rossby and Richardson numbers. The spatial structure of these modes is then examined.
Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.