Rich Pawlowicz, University of British Columbia
Assistant Professor
Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Vancouver, British Columbia
rpawlowicz@eos.ubc.ca
Office:
(604) 822-1356
(604) 822-3278
Expert In
Bio/Research
I am interested in understanding how the oceans work. Heat goes in (and out), fresh water and different chemicals are added (and subtracted), and resulting changes in density create pressure gradients that drive currents - which are in turn modified by the tidal effects of the moon, the spin of t...
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Bio/Research
I am interested in understanding how the oceans work. Heat goes in (and out), fresh water and different chemicals are added (and subtracted), and resulting changes in density create pressure gradients that drive currents - which are in turn modified by the tidal effects of the moon, the spin of the earth, and friction against the solid boundaries. All of this is hidden below the surface - even trying to decide where the water goes can be difficult, never mind the why!
Currently I have a number of different research interests, mostly based in the beautiful and fascinating waters around British Columbia. The deep fjords and many islands provide many interesting oceanographic problems and the dynamics of the region are immensely important to the people of BC for both economic and social reasons.
The approach taken towards understanding these problems is to combine complex fieldwork with careful mathematical analysis at my desk (think of it as brawn and brains). I go to sea in ships ranging in size from the 7m department whaler to the 80m CCGS J. P. Tully (and sometimes fly above the sea in small planes and helicopters). As well as using standard techniques for sampling the ocean temperature and salinity I am also actively developing new methods for flow visualization using acoustics and optics.
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Currently I have a number of different research interests, mostly based in the beautiful and fascinating waters around British Columbia. The deep fjords and many islands provide many interesting oceanographic problems and the dynamics of the region are immensely important to the people of BC for both economic and social reasons.
The approach taken towards understanding these problems is to combine complex fieldwork with careful mathematical analysis at my desk (think of it as brawn and brains). I go to sea in ships ranging in size from the 7m department whaler to the 80m CCGS J. P. Tully (and sometimes fly above the sea in small planes and helicopters). As well as using standard techniques for sampling the ocean temperature and salinity I am also actively developing new methods for flow visualization using acoustics and optics.
Click to Shrink <<