Geophysikalische Fluiddynamik (Prof. Dr. Andreas Tilgner)

Fluid flow is ubiquitous in geophysical problems. The evolution of the atmosphere and oceans is obviously governed by fluid dynamics. The behaviour of the earth's mantle on time scales relevant for plate tectonics can also be described in terms of flow of a fluid with particular rheological properties. The earth's outer core is liquid and the fluid motion in this part of the planet is believed to generate the earth's magnetic field.

Many challenges are common to geophysical fluid dynamics and engineering. For instance, most flows are turbulent and we are still lacking tools to make reliable predictions on turbulent motions. Other aspects are more specific to geophysics, as for example the influence of magnetic fields and rotation.