Ocean Hydrodynamics: 20th International Colloquium Proceedings(Oceanography S.)

The 20th Liege Colloquium was particularly well attended and these proceedings demonstrate the significant progress achieved in understanding, modelling, and observing geostrophic and near-geostrophic turbulence. The book contains more than 50 review papers and original contributions covering most aspects of the field of mesoscale/synoptic coherent structures in geophysical (oceanographic) turbulence. The properties of isolated vortices (generation, evolution, decay), their interactions with other vortices, with larger scale currents and/or with topography are investigated theoretically and by means of numerical and physical models. Observation of these dynamically important features in different parts of the world ocean are reported. Of particular interest will be the fourteen contributions by scientists from the USSR which emphasize the international character of the meeting. The book thus constitutes a useful and complete overview of the current state-of-the-art.

Table of Contents:
Mushroom-like currents (vortex dipoles): one of the most widespread forms of non-stationary coherent motions in the ocean (K.N. Fedorov, A.I. Ginsberg). Modelling of ``mushroom-like'' currents (vortex dipoles) in a laboratory tank with rotating homogeneous and stratified fluids (K.N. Fedorov et al.). On the multitude of forms of coherent motions in marginal ice zones (MIZ) (A.I. Ginsberg, K.N. Fedorov). Differential rotation (beta-effect) as an organizing factor in mesoscale dynamics (V.D. Larichev). Geostrophic regimes and geostrophic turbulance beyond the radius of deformation (B. Cushman-Roisin, Benyang Tang). The evolution of cooling rings (W.K. Dewar). Vorticity frontogenesis (M.E. Stern). Weakly non-local solitary waves (J.P. Boyd). Nonlinear intrusion (D. Nof). The decay of mesoscale vortices (R.P. Mied). Ekman dissipation of a barotropic modon (G.E. Swaters, G.R. Flierl). On the stability of ocean vortices (P. Ripa). Influence of topography on modon propagation and survival (G.F. Carnevale et al.). Mesoscale structures on density driven boundary currents (S.A. Condie). Factors influencing asymmetry and self advection in ocean eddies (D.C. Smith IV, A.A. Bird). Barotropic and baroclinic instabilities of axisymmetric vortices in a quasigeostrophic model (X.J. Carton, J.C. McWilliams). Eddy-genesis and the related heat transport: a parameter study (S.S. Drijfhout). Eddy generation by instability of a highly ageostrophic front: mean flow interactions and potential vorticity dynamics (R.A. Wood). Eddy-current interactions using a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model (M. Ikeda, K. Lygre). Simulation of ocean tomography in a QC model (F. Gaillard). Simulation experiments of the evolution of mesoscale circulation features of the Norwegian coastal current (P.M. Haugan et al.). Numerical modeling of Aghulas retroflection and ring formation with isopycnal outcropping (D.B. Boudra et al.). Evolution of rings in numerical models and observations (E.P. Chassignet et al.). The role of mesoscale turbulence in the Aghulas current system (J.R.E. Luthjeharms). Modelling the variability in the Somali current (M.E. Luther, J.J. O'Brien). General circulation of the mid-latitude ocean: coupled effects of variable wind forcings and bottom topography roughness on the mean and eddy circulation (B. Barnier, C. Le Provost). Asymmetrical wind forcing driving some numerical eddy-resolving general circulation experiments (J. Verron, C. Le Provost). On the response of the Black Sea eddy field to seasonal forcing (E.V. Stanev). The dynamical balance of the Antarctic circumpolar current studied with an eddy resolving quasigeostrophic model (J.-O. Wolff, D.J. Olbers). A limited-area primitive equation model of the Gulf stream: results in statistical equilibrium (J. Dana Thompson, W.J. Schmitz, Jr.). A synopsis of mesoscale eddies in the Gulf of Mexico (A.W. Indest et al).