Descriptif

Chapter I- Introduction
background state of the ocean, brief overview of wind-driven and meridional overturning circulations, measurements techniques

Chapter II- Fundamentals of Ocean Dynamics
equations of motion, thermodynamic equation, primitive equations, recall on geostrophic equilibrium and boundary layers, planetary geostrophic equilibrium, quasi-geostrophic approximation, equation for potential vorticity, Rossby waves

Chapter IIIa - Wind-driven circulation I (gyres etc, based on vorticity equation)
homogeneous models, influence of stratification, spin-up, topographic effects

Chapter IIIb – Wind driven circulation II (focus on Southern Ocean, zonal momentum balance)
Interaction with topography, role of eddies