Geophysical Flows Lab
Geophysical flows refer to the motion and behavior of fluids, such as air and water, in the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. These flows are influenced by gravity, Earth’s rotation, temperature differences, and pressure gradients, and they exhibit a wide range of complex and nonlinear behavior. Geophysical flows can occur over a wide range of scales, from microscopic to planetary, and can have important implications for the Earth’s climate and weather patterns.
Examples of geophysical flows include ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. Understanding these flows is essential for predicting and mitigating natural hazards such as hurricanes, as well as for understanding the long-term dynamics of the Earth's climate and environment.
Petrola & Woods (2018)
The study of geophysical flows involves the application of (i) mathematical models, (ii) observational data, and (iii) laboratory experiments to understand better the underlying physical processes that govern the behavior of fluids in the Earth system. Geophysical Flows Lab, a Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras, is set up to make advances in the above three aspects with the vision of unlocking the mystery of Earth's cimalte mechanism.