Middle Atmosphere Dynamics

The first integrated approach to the study of atmospheres and oceans as a coupled system

David G. Andrews (Author), Conway B. Leovy (Author), James R. Holton (Author)

9780120585762, Elsevier Science

Paperback / softback, published 11 September 1987

489 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 3 cm, 0.6 kg

"Marshall and Plumb have nicely presented the basics of both meteorology and oceanography in this work. The book begins with a discusssion of atmospheric characteristics; the final chapter on climate and climatic variability nicely leads into the subject of global warming, and should be read by anyone with an interest in the future of the planet. . . . Highly recommended." --A.E. Staver, Northern Illinois University, in CHOICE, June 2008

For advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in atmospheric, oceanic, and climate science, Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics is an introductory textbook on the circulations of the atmosphere and ocean and their interaction, with an emphasis on global scales. It will give students a good grasp of what the atmosphere and oceans look like on the large-scale and why they look that way. The role of the oceans in climate and paleoclimate is also discussed. The combination of observations, theory and accompanying illustrative laboratory experiments sets this text apart by making it accessible to students with no prior training in meteorology or oceanography.

1. Characteristics of the atmosphere. 2. The global energy balance. 3. The vertical structure of the atmosphere. 4. Convection. 5. The Meridional structure of the atmosphere. 6. The equations of fluid motion. 7. Balanced flow. 8. The general circulation of the atmosphere. 9. The ocena and its circulation. 10. The wind-driven circulation. 11. The thermohaline circulation of the ocean. 12. Climate and climate variability. 13. Appendices.

Subject Areas: Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Chemistry [PN], Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]