Fluid Dynamics in Earth and Planetary Sciences (FDEPS) First FDEPS Workshop Dec 6 - 10, 1999 Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Tokyo
Abstract
The fluid-dynamical fundamentals of most basic importance to atmosphere-ocean dynamics are reviewed, together with their application to understanding the global-scale circulation of the middle atmosphere. Contrary to mythology, the circulation is driven purely mechanically. It is a good example of a multiple-timescale system. Systematic effects of wavelike and turbulent motions with timescales of seconds to weeks govern, for instance, the e-folding timescale (of order a century) over which chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are destroyed in the atmosphere.