Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

Numerical analysis and modelling

In order to further our ability to simulate geophysical and astrophysical fluids, the next generation of numerical models must take advantage of the latest developments in ‘exascale’ high-performance computing. Our group performs fundamental numerical analysis, developing new methods to simulate fluids on fixed or adaptive spatial grids, and developing new time-stepping methods.

Members of the group are closely involved, through the LFRic project, with the development of the next-generation dynamical core of the Met Office Unified Model. This will enable weather forecasts and climate predictions to be performed with unprecedented resolution and accuracy. We are also involved in the development of novel compatible finite element methods through the Gusto project.

Lead academics: Alemi Ardakani, Shipton, Thuburn, Vallis, Wingate

Astrophysical fluid dynamics

Research in our group seeks to understand the generation of the magnetic fields of the Earth, other planets, and the Sun. Our work includes the investigation of planetary, solar, and galactic dynamos, including why planetary magnetic fields can suddenly reverse direction, as well as why sunspots change with a period of about 11 years.

To further our understanding of these phenomena, we make use of high-performance computing facilities to perform magnetohydrodynamic simulations.

Lead academics: Berger, Foullon, Gilbert, Hillier, Mason, Zhang

Solar-terrestrial plasmas and space weather

The Earth and other planets in our solar system are affected not just by the Sun’s light, but by streams of charged particles which produce space weather. When a solar storm hits there can be significant disruptions to communications, power lines, and satellite operations. Our research aims to enhance our ability to understand and predict space weather events. Studies range from the origins of magnetic fields in the interior of the Sun, to the development in the solar atmosphere, and their subsequent expulsion and propagation through space.

Our group is strengthening links with the Met Office Space Weather group, which hosts one of only three space weather prediction centres around the globe. We are also developing an open-source numerical code for the simulation partially ionised plasmas (PIP).

Lead academics: Berger, Foullon, Hillier, Mason, Wingate

Planetary and exoplanetary fluid dynamics

The wealth of data collected from robotic exploration of our solar system, and from observations of exoplanets, gives us a valuable resource for testing our knowledge of planetary atmospheric dynamics. These observations also raise important questions about the climates and potential habitability of planetary bodies. Members of the group are seeking to understand phenomena such as the impacts of global dust storms on Mars, the polygonal polar vortex ‘crystals’ seen on Jupiter, and the methane cycle of Titan (an analogue of Earth’s hydrological cycle).

We collaborate closely with the Exoplanets research group within Astrophysics at Exeter. We have also adapted our open-source idealised atmospheric modelling framework, Isca, to simulate a number of (exo)planetary bodies.

Lead academics: Lambert, Seviour, Thomson, Vallis

Fluid dynamics of weather and climate

Extreme weather events and changes to atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns have potentially profound effects on society. Understanding these phenomena, and predicting their response to a changing climate, requires an underpinning in fundamental fluid dynamics. We work on a broad range of topics including ocean circulation, atmosphere-ocean interaction, convection, the atmospheric boundary layer and pollution, monsoons, jet streams, stratospheric dynamics, and the ozone hole.

Several members of the group work closely with the (Exeter-based) Met Office, driving improvements within the Unified Model, the UK’s major weather and climate prediction system. We have also led the development of Isca, a framework for modelling global atmospheric circulation at varying degrees of complexity.

Within Exeter, we have formal links and collaborations with the Weather and Climate Science and Statistics and Data Science themes, as well as with Exeter Climate Systems and the Global Systems Institute.

Selected publications: McKinley et al. (2018)