10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Room: Magpie A/B
This minisymposium will focus on recent developments in vortex dynamics and statistical mechanics on spherical surfaces. The work is motivated by applications in geophysical fluid dynamics where coherent structures, such as atmospheric cyclones or oceanographic eddies, persist over long times and travel over such large distances, that the spherical geometry of the earth becomes important. The systems are modeled by the Euler equations from two-dimensional fluid mechanics, hence Hamiltonian techniques are widely used. For most applications, viscous effects can be ignored, although effects of rotation are also generally considered important. The speakers in this minisymposium will provide a snapshot of current activity in this area.
Organizers: Paul K. Newton
University of Southern California
Chjan C. Lim
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MMD, 2/9/99
LMH, 1/7/99; tjf, 2/1/99