Hamiltons Principle As The Basis For Ocean Circulation Models

Hamilton's principle of mechanics governs the motion of the geophysical fluids. As a statement of dynamical law, it has the following practical advantages over the more conventional Eulerian formulation of fluid dynamics: This paper will demonstrate how Hamilton's principle permits useful numerical approximations to the equations governing the motion of a shallow rotating fluid blob. Salmon (1982) used a similar model system for a numerical study of the ocean's main thermocline. However, the methods described here are distinctly superior to those of the earlier paper. The new methods generalize easily to continuously stratified and multi-layer flows.