Lectures on Geophysical Fluid Dynamics offers an introduction to several topics in theoretical geophysical fluid dynamics, including the theory of large-scale ocean circulation, geostrophic turbulence, and Hamiltonian fluid dynamics. The book is based on an introductory course in dynamical oceanography offered to first-year graduate students at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Each chapter is a self-contained introduction ti its particular subject, and makes few specific references to other chapters. Chapters 1 examines the relationship between the molecular and continuum models of the fluid, and between the Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of the latter. Ch.2 is a broad introduction to the fluid dynamics of rotating, stratified flows. Ch.3 adddresses large-scale ocean circulation. Chs.4,5 and 6 discuss the theory of turbulence, including elementary ideas based on vorticity laws (Ch.4), statistical turbulence theory (Ch.5), and the applications of these ideas to quasigeostrophic flows in the Earth''s oceans and atmosphere (Ch.6). Ch.7 surveys Hamiltonoian fluid dynamics, including the interaction between waves and currents, and "balanced" approximations to nearly geostrophic flow. Overall, the emphasis is on physical ideas rather than mathematical techniques. Readers are assumed to have had an elementary introduction to fluid mechanics, to know advanced calculus through partial differential equations, and to be familiar with the elementary ideas about linear waves, including the concept of group velocity.
Industry Reviews
"Salmon's [book] is a refreshing and original treatment of large-scale dynamics of fluids with rotation and stratification, using Hamilton's principle as an organizing point. It is the first such monograph to discuss geostrophic eddy motions and statistical turbulence theory in the context of oceans and atmospheres. ... Salmon's scope ... narrows the focus to the point where the material is nicely linked. As a student said to me, 'After reading a chapter, you
know where you have been.' There is a deductive flow that is very appealing. ... Salmon has provided a monograph in the classic style, and a textbook for those excited by the rigor and fundamental
approach of physics. Theory is the process by which complex events in nature are simplified, encapsulated, organized, generalized, remembered, and transmitted to future generations. This volume will help it to survive the digital-numerical world."--Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
"An introduction to topics in theoretical fluid dynamics. . .The book starts with fundamentals of fluids, then addresses geophysical fluid dynamics, ocean circulation, vortices, statistical fluid dynamics, geostrophic turbulence, and ends with Hamiltonian fluid dynamics. A pervasive theme is reducing the complexity of fluid motions, particularly through principles of conservation and irreversibility." --Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
"Hydrodynamics of rotating, baroclinic, stratified, naturally occurring fluid motions is called 'Geophysical Fluid Dynamics.' This discipline is concerned with the fundamental subjects essential to an understanding of the atmosphere and the ocean's dynamics. Lectures of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics is a clear, readable and self-contained introduction to several topics in theoretical geophysical fluid dynamics and related areas of hydrodynamics. It
bridges the gap between non-technical popular accounts and textbooks for advanced students. . . . Everything is explained clearly and in depth, making the book ideal for use as a course text for first-year graduate
students in ocean physics and those specialising in theoretical hydrodynamics. This book provides geophysicists and hydrodynamicists with a clear understanding of the basic principles of geophysical fluid dynamics and their potential for application in a wide range of environmental problems."--Pure Applied Geophysics
"With Lectures on Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Rick Salmon has added an insightful and provocative volume to the handful of authoritative texts currently available on the subject. The book is intended for first-year graduate students, but advanced students and researchers also will find it useful. It is divided into seven chapters, the first four of these adapted from course lectures. The book is well written and presents a fresh and stimulating
perspective that complements existing texts. It would serve equally well either as the main text for a core graduate curriculum or as a supplementary resource for students and teachers seeking new approaches to both
classical and contemporary problems. A lively set of footnotes contains many references to very recent work. The printing is attractive, the binding is of high quality, and typographical errors are few."--Eos
"Salmon's [book] is a refreshing and original treatment of large-scale dynamics of fluids with rotation and stratification, using Hamilton's principle as an organizing point. It is the first such monograph to discuss geostrophic eddy motions and statistical turbulence theory in the context of oceans and atmospheres. ... Salmon's scope ... narrows the focus to the point where the material is nicely linked. As a student said to me, 'After reading a chapter, you
know where you have been.' There is a deductive flow that is very appealing. ... Salmon has provided a monograph in the classic style, and a textbook for those excited by the rigor and fundamental
approach of physics. Theory is the process by which complex events in nature are simplified, encapsulated, organized, generalized, remembered, and transmitted to future generations. This volume will help it to survive the digital-numerical world."--Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
"This book provides deep insights to the underlying physical problems and elegant mathematical treatments of some important geophysical fluid dynamical problems. This is a textbook in geophysical fluid dynamics, written for first-year graduate students in physical oceanography as the author states in the preface. Also, it is certainly an excellent textbook for a graduate course in applied mathematics, and a good reference book for anyone who is interested in
geophysical fluid dynamics."--Mathematical Reviews
