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2004 HOUGHTON LECTURES
SERIES
PROFESSOR CHRIS GARRETT
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
University of Victoria, Canada
All lectures will be given in
Building
54, Room 915
SCHEDULE
Monday, April
12, 4 pm
1)
Some Dynamics of Sea Straits.
Flows through
straits can be strongly nonlinear (in the sense that the
current speed can be comparable with the speed of waves)
as well as being influenced by stratification, rotation,
mixing, and friction. This complexity suggests a need
for numerical models. However, it is still of immense
value to have guiding principles such as those of
hydraulic control and maximal exchange. These concepts
can be blurred considerably as soon as one moves away
from simple "slab" models, in which the flow
is typically treated as being made up of uniform layers;
but progress is being made.
Concepts of geostrophic
and hydraulic control for barotropic flow will be
reviewed, followed by a brief discussion of the effects
of friction, entrainment, and shear. This leads into
some discussion of exchange flows, with an emphasis on
the rich dynamics of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Finally, the need will be
discussed for parameterizations of things like internal
and lateral friction to be based on direct observations
rather than circumstantial evidence.
Wednesday,
April 14, 12 noon
2)
Why Ocean Tides are Back in Fashion.
The apparent
predictability of ocean tides led to their neglect, but
they are now back in fashion for a variety of reasons.
Even the reasons for large coastal tides in some regions
are a matter of debate; a review will presented of the
way in which simple models of resonance can be
instructive. However, the main reason for renewed
interest is that internal tides in the ocean appear to
be a prime mixing agent. A small part of this problem
will be reviewed, dealing with topography steeper than
the critical slope. Finally, the prospects of harnessing
tides for electric power generation will be discussed,
with comments and new results on the use of turbines in
strong currents rather than dams at the mouth of bays.
Thursday, April
15, 4 pm
3)
Energy from the Sea: Some Anecdotes and Issues.
One of the main
current reasons for the study of the oceans is that they
play a role in climate. However, oceanographers can also
contribute to society by evaluating ways in which
climate change can be mitigated or avoided. In a
very selective discussion of some of the issues that
arise in interactions with the energy sector,
oceanographic input to some problems of offshore oil
development will begin a discussion; but then comments
will be presented on renewable sources of energy such as
waves and tides. Finally, allowing for the possibility
that nuclear power will be revived, some aspects will be
mentioned of radioactive waste disposal in the ocean.
The main purpose of the talk is to encourage students
and others to become involved in some of these practical
issues.
*Tentative Schedule--may be changed without notice
______________________________________________________________________
PROF. CHRIS
GARRETT
Office: 54-1610
phone: 617-253-2284
email:
garrett@phys.uvic.ca
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