This book about the equations of oceanic motions grew out of the course “Advanced
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics” that I have been teaching for many years to graduate
students at the University of Hawaii. In their pursuit of rigorous understanding, students consistently asked for a solid basis and systematic derivation of the dynamic
equations used to describe and analyze oceanographic phenomena. I, on the other
hand, often felt bogged down by mere “technical” aspects when trying to get fundamental theoretical concepts across. This book is the answer to both. It establishes
the basic equations of oceanic motions in a rigorous way, derives the most common
approximations in a systematic manner and uniform framework and notation, and
lists the basic concepts and formulae of equilibrium thermodynamics, vector and
tensor analysis, curvilinear coordinate systems, and the kinematics of fluid flows
and waves. All this is presented in a spirit somewhere between a textbook and a
reference book. This book is thus not a substitute but a complement to the many excellent textbooks on geophysical fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and vector and
tensor calculus. It provides the basic theoretical background for graduate classes
and research in physical oceanography in a comprehensive form.