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Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:34
Abstract
Fluid mechanics is one of the fundamentalbuilding blocks of modern geophysics. This course aims to provide the students with the basic tools used in fluid dynamics studies of geophysical-astrophysical problems. The course is a combination of lectures, exercises and demo experiments.
Objective
The goal of this course is to introduce you to some fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics, dimensional analysis and scaling laws. A particular attention is given to the assumptions and approximations underlying the derivations of the equations in various situations. The lectures are a mix of table top experiments, everyday observations and theoretical derivations.
Content
1)Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. 2)Ideal inviscid fluids. 3)Incompressible viscous fluids. 4)Advanced topics, one of the following: -Elements of Thermal convection. -Rotating fluids. -Stratified fluids. -Instabilities and Turbulence.
Resources
Lecture Notes
The slides of last year presentations will be made available at the beginning of the semester, they may be subject to changes during the lectures.
Literature
M. Rieutord, Springer 2015, Fluid dynamics - An Introduction: The book is available as a pdf for ETH student ( https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-09351-2 )
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Geophysical Fluid Dynamics |
|
2 h weekly |