PhD transfer exam | Ben Storer, Eigen-analysis of Rotating Shallow Water Systems

Eigen-analysis of Rotating Shallow Water Systems

Several expeditions have provided observational data regarding a series of persistent and alternating zonal jets around the equator in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In particular, the jets are shown to persist away from the equator as far as ten degrees of latitude and to have a complex vertical structure. These observations have led to the study of jet formation in equatorial regimes. Preliminary studies have focused on the parametric formation of Yanai waves as the instability of these waves is believed to be a mechanism for jet formation. Future work will be discussed.

Additionally, seismographic techniques, which have historically been used to map subterranean regions, have been applied to provide high-resolution observations of ocean features at depths of up to two kilometres. These methods have provided some stunning images of large-scale eddies in the Mediterranean Ocean, which have in turn motivated the study of the stability of such vortices. The research goals will be discussed.