The photo on the right shows two photos of different fluid instability -- the upper one is often called Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, the lower one is called Holmboe's instability. The generation of these two instabilities are both predicted from some simple physics, but as they grow to larger size the physics becomes complicated. These types of instability occur in both the ocean and atmosphere, where they are an important source of turbulence and mixing.

The best way of determining what happens in these instabilities is to isolate them in laboratory. This project will involve a series of laboratory experiments making measurements of the flow speed and the generation of instabilities. The student/intern can expect to conduct a number of experiments, making visual (qualitative) measurements of the flow as well as quantitative measurements of the instabilities as they grow.

Contact the supervisor directly for more information.

Ocean straits are narrow constrictions which separate marginal seas from oceans, such as the straits of Gibraltar, the Indonesian Throughflow and the Heads of Sydney Harbour. Straits therefore restrict the flow of water between different parts off the ocean. It follows that these straits play a key role in regulating flow of water, nutrients and pollutants around the ocean.

This project will exmine the fundamental fluid dynamics of flow through straits, and will apply these results to the ocean. The project may either be based on laboratory experiments, numerical simulation or a combination of the two. The student can expect to develop and implement a program of experiments to learn more about flow through straits, and to develop conceptual understanding of this important aspect of oceanography.

Contact the supervisor directly for more information.

One of the outstanding puzzles in paleoclimatology is to determine the cause of ice ages. Data shows that CO2 (in the red) varies with temperature (black) in the figure, indicating that CO2 plays a significant role in controlling glaciation; but what controls CO2?

This project will use simple models to attack this problem. The student will start from a 2-equation model of the climate system which replicates the major elements of the glacial cycles, and will develop this model into a multi-box model to gain constraints on possible influences on glacial climate dynamics.

The Southern Ocean plays a critical role in the global ocean circulation. It connects all three major ocean basins (the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific) and so helps to control heat transport, climate variability and nutrient balances. Yet, circulation in the Southern ocean is poorly understood - mainly because there is a relatively small amount of observational data.

This project aims to simulate the circulation of the Southern Ocean in a realistic way, and look at ways in which this circulation will vary. The simulations will use existing eddy-resolving ocean models (see figure for the "eddy field", or turbulence which is modelled). The simulations will be performed on the local supercomputer (the AC) and some modification of the models will be required. This project would suit a student with an applied maths or physics background, and in interest in climate dynamics or physical oceanography.

Contact the supervisor directly for more information.