Ocean Circulation Theory

This book describes the advances made in the last decade and a half in the theory of ocean circulation. Based on an advanced graduate level course it represents fundamental insights into the structure of the physical theory of the large-scale dynamics of the oceans. Topics of particular interest are: theory of the wind-driven circulation, the thermocline, the equatorial circulation and the abyssal circulation. The author has attempted throughout to blend analytical and numerical results to achieve as deep a physical understanding of the dynamics of the large-scale circulations as possible. The results of the theories are compared with observations and the success or inadequacies of the theories are highlighted.