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About Us

Research in Ocean Physics offers a combination of intellectual challenge and relevance to society. The Earth's rotation and the competing effects of salinity and temperature lead to counter-intuitive dynamical behaviour. Turbulent motions at scales of a few millimetres can influence circulation at scales of thousands of kilometres in ocean basins, with consequences for climate, resource utilisation, and the protection of the marine environment.

In the Ocean Physics Group our research focuses on small-scale processes in the deep and coastal ocean including internal waves, turbulence, tides, flow/topography interactions, surface waves, air-sea interactions, upper-ocean dynamics, double diffusion and hydraulic flow in straits. Recently, we have been investigating the physics of generating energy from the sea. We conduct collaborative research that includes seagoing observations, data analysis and theory. Our longterm goal is to better understand how these micro- to mesoscale processes work and to parameterize their effects on the larger-scale ocean circulation.

Sketch of flow over an isolated bump (From Dewey et al, 2005)
Sketch of flow over an isolated bump (From Dewey et al, 2005)

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Opportunities

Prospective graduate students with a background in physics or related disciplines may obtain an application package electronically from either SEOS or Physics. Direct communication with appropriate faculty is also recommended.

Prospective postdoctoral fellows should contact Drs. Garrett, Kunze, or Klymak by email.

Alumni Michael Ott recovering a CTD during a cruise in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Alumni Michael Ott recovering a CTD during a cruise in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

People

Research projects are described on individual websites, linked here:

Faculty and Research Associates

Graduate Students

Support Staff

Adjunct Faculty

We work extensively with local adjunct faculty, including co-advising grad students. Adjuncts are primarily at IOS and CCCMA: Ed Carmack, Bill Crawford, Ken Denman, Greg Flato, Howard Freeland, Michael Foreman, Rolf Lueck, Robie MacDonald, David Mackas, Richard Thomson, Svein Vagle

Recent Graduates

Burkard Baschek, Keir Colbo, Frank Gerdes, Michael Ott, Tetjana Ross, Andrey Skvortsov, Steven Stringer, Elina Tragou, Konstantin Zahariev

Alumni

Ryuichiro Inoue, Helen Johnson, Ming Li, Louis St. Laurent, Kate Stansfield, Amit Tandon, Mary-Louise Timmermans

Turbulence measured in Saanich Inlet during a zooplankton migration. Note how the turbulence levels greatly increase (by up to four orders of magnitude) during the migration. (From Kunze et al, 2006)
Turbulence measured in Saanich Inlet during a zooplankton migration. Note how the turbulence levels greatly increase (by up to four orders of magnitude) during the migration. (From Kunze et al, 2006)

Last Modified: September 19, 2008