Dynamical oceanography /

This book is a must for any fluid dynamicist, physical oceanographer, coastal engineer, or physicist working with fluids. This clear, excellently written, comprehensive volume combines, in one place, all of the fundamental governing equations of fluid flow and ocean circulation. The well-described practical applications of these equations to how the ocean moves, not just on the surface in response to wind and other forces, but also at depths where circulation is controlled by density differences and topographic irregularities, is a bonus. Dijkstra (Univ. of Utrecht) is one of the giants of physical oceanography, known for his nonlinear dynamical systems approach. Here he treats the reader to well-explained equations, the reasoning behind them, and their application to phenomena such as El Nino and the fast-flowing Gulf Stream. Loaded with equations, this volume looks more like a math book than one on oceanography. The clarity of the writing, however, and the excellent, manageable problem sets at the end of each chapter make this a superb advanced undergraduate or graduate-level work for anyone working with large-scale fluid motion. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. B. Ransom formerly, University of California, San Diego