Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
BASIC DATA
course listing
A - main register
course code
NSO8071
course title in Estonian
Geofüüsikaline vedelike dünaamika
course title in English
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
course volume CP
-
ECTS credits
6.00
to be declared
yes
fully online course
not
assessment form
Examination
teaching semester
autumn
language of instruction
Estonian
English
Study programmes that contain the course
code of the study programme version
course compulsory
LAFM23/25
no
LARM18/25
no
Structural units teaching the course
LM - Department of Marine Systems
Course description link
Timetable link
View the timetable
Version:
VERSION SPECIFIC DATA
course aims in Estonian
Ookeani ja atmosfääri dünaamika seaduspärasuste omandamine, tuginedes ühtsele geofüüsikaliste voolamiste teoreetilisele raamistikule.
course aims in English
To gain the fundamentals of the dynamics of ocean and atmosphere, based on the common theoretical framework of geophysical flows.
learning outcomes in the course in Est.
Üliõpilane tunneb ookeani ja atmosfääri dünaamika põhilisi seaduspärasusi ning oskab püstitada ja lahendada teoreetilisi ülesandeid. Oskab tõlgendada vaatluste ja numbriliste mudelite tulemusi, kasutamisega õppe- ja teadustöös ning loodusvarade ja keskkonna haldamisel ja tehniliste lahenduste väljatöötamisel.
learning outcomes in the course in Eng.
The student knows the basic principles of the dynamics of ocean and atmosphere and obtains the skills to set-up and solve theoretical problems. Has the skills for interpretation of the results from observations and numerical models, to be used for research and education as well as for management of natural resources and environment and for developing of technical solutions.
brief description of the course in Estonian
Kursus käsitleb ühtsetelt alustelt atmosfääri ja ookeani liikumiste teoreetilisi aluseid, tuginedes hüdromehaanika mitmemastaabilistele rakendustele õhukeses, pöörlevas ja stratifitseeritud kihis. Käsitletakse liikumiste laia spektrit, alates väikesemastaabilistest lainetest läbi mesomastaapsete ja sünoptiliste keeriste kuni planetaarse tsirkulatsiooni ja tema klimaatiliste muutusteni. Teemad: Ookeani ja atmosfääri põhilised omadused. Vedelike liikumise võrrandid, nende analüütiline ja numbriline lahendamine. Geofüüsikaliste voolamiste võrrandid, liikumise mastaabid ja olulised dimensioonitud suurused. Turbulentsed ja difusiooniprotsessid kombineerituna advektsiooniga. Geostroofilised voolamised ja pööriselisuse dünaamika. Ekmani kihid ookeanis ja atmosfääris. Barotroopsed lained ja nende ebastabiilsus. Stratifikatsioon kombineerituna pöörlemisega. Pikkade lainete dünaamika kihiliste mudelite raames. Siselained. Turbulents stratifitseeritud vedelikes. Stratifitseeritud pöörlevate voolamiste dünaamika. Termiline tuul, rannalähedane apvelling, atmosfääri ja ookeani frontogenees. Kvaasigeostroofiline dünaamika, planetaarsed ja topograafilised lained. Barokliinne ebastabiilsus ja keeriste tekkimine. Frondid, jugavoolud ja keerised. Atmosfääri, ookeani ja ääremerede üldtsirkulatsioon.
brief description of the course in English
The course presents theoretical foundations of atmospheric and oceanic motions from a common point of view, based on the multi-scale applications of hydrodynamics in a thin, stratified and rotating layer. A wide spectrum of motions is considered, from small-scale waves through mesoscale and synoptic eddies to planetary circulation and its climatic changes. Specific topics: Basic properties of ocean and atmosphere. Equations of fluid motion, methods for analytical and numerical solution. Equations governing geophysical flows, scales of motion and important dimensionless numbers. Turbulent and diffusive processes in combination with advection. Geostrophic flows and vorticity dynamics. Ekman layers in the ocean and atmosphere. Barotropic waves and their instability. Stratification combined with rotation. Long wave dynamics governed by the layered models. Internal waves. Turbulence in stratified fluids. Dynamics of stratified rotating flows. Thermal wind, coastal upwelling, atmospheric and oceanic frontogenesis. Quasi-geostrophic dynamics, planetary and topographic waves. Baroclinic instability and generation of cyclones. Fronts, jets and vortices. General circulation of atmosphere, ocean and marginal seas.
type of assessment in Estonian
Suuline eksam. Enne on vaja sooritada ülesanded.
type of assessment in English
Oral examination. Assignments have to be passed before the examination.
independent study in Estonian
x
independent study in English
x
study literature
Cushman-Roisin, B. and Beckers, J.M., 2011. Introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics: physical and numerical aspects (Vol. 101). Academic Press.

Täiendavalt:
McWilliams, J.C., 2006. Fundamentals of geophysical fluid dynamics. Cambridge University Press.

Pedlosky, J., 2013. Geophysical fluid dynamics. Springer Science & Business Media.
study forms and load
daytime study: weekly hours
4.0
session-based study work load (in a semester):
lectures
3.0
lectures
-
practices
0.0
practices
-
exercises
1.0
exercises
-
lecturer in charge
Ilja Maljutenko, vanemteadur (LM - meresüsteemide instituut)
LECTURER SYLLABUS INFO
semester of studies
teaching lecturer / unit
language of instruction
Extended syllabus
2025/2026 autumn
Ilja Maljutenko, LM - Department of Marine Systems
Estonian
    NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
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    2024/2025 autumn
    Ilja Maljutenko, LM - Department of Marine Systems
    Estonian
      NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
      2022/2023 autumn
      Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
      English
        2021/2022 autumn
        Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
        English
          NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
          2020/2021 autumn
          Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
          English
            NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
            2019/2020 autumn
            Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
            English
              NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
              2018/2019 spring
              Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
              English
                NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
                2018/2019 autumn
                Jüri Elken, LM - Department of Marine Systems
                English
                  NSO8071_Assessment.pdf 
                  Course description in Estonian
                  Course description in English