Australian Waters and their Dynamics - ZPEM2401

This course will examine the major currents around Australia and their influence on fisheries, costal communities and climate. These currents include the Leeuwin Current, Eastern Australian Current, Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the Indonesian Throughflow. Before investigating the currents, the basic principles of ocean properties (potential temperature, salinity, and density) and ocean forces (gravity, pressure, pressure gradients, Coriolis, friction) will be examined along with the primary ocean dynamics and their balances (geostrophic flow and Ekman transport). This will provide understanding of the forces causing and influencing the currents and provide a framework for the Australian currents to be discussed. The basics of waves and tides will also be outlined, including the tides around Australia. There will be an Oceanography field school at Jervis bay.